This paper discusses the benefits of site-specific odor training for landfill operators. The training outlined in this paper has helped landfill operators recognize the character and intensity of particular odors produced at their landfill. Typical odor training is broken into general odor discussion items related to landfill sources, a discussion of how these items apply to the operators' particular landfill, and odor screening to determine whether operators are actually sensitive to odors and therefore capable of responding to odor complaints. The benefits of training community members that are concerned with odor nuisances from the landfill are also presented in this paper. Examples from specific odor training workshops are used to discuss how odor training landfill operators improved odor mitigation at landfills, refined odor compliant response procedures, exposed operators to a disgruntled neighbors' point of view, and was viewed by local communities as a positive effort by the landfill to reduce odors as necessary. Discussion will include how odor screening of landfill operators improves odor response performance and adds credibility to the process of complaint response and odor surveys. This paper discusses how real, site-specific odor samples can be compared to reference odors so that operators can better understand the changing landfill gas dynamics as landfilling is completed. The paper will also discuss how the olfactory system works and its effectiveness. The benefits of understanding odor detection thresholds for common landfill gas constituents along with worker exposure thresholds are discussed. Finally, this paper discusses the application of operator odor training to satisfy site-specific odor mitigation program requirements imposed by local health and state environmental agencies.
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