College of British Columbia researchers say they’ve uncovered shocking insights into the Vancouver area’s “smellscape” utilizing knowledge from the Smell Vancouver app. Analyzing 549 reviews from one 12 months of app knowledge, they found that “rotten” and “chemical” odours dominated, making up about 65 per cent of submissions. These disagreeable smells had been linked to self-reported well being points like complications and nervousness, main some residents to vary their behaviours, like closing home windows even in stifling-hot climate.
“The reports illustrate how odours can be more than just a nuisance—they can impact physical and mental health, well-being, and quality of life,” mentioned Dr. Amanda Giang, senior research writer and assistant professor in UBC’s division of mechanical engineering and the Institute for Sources, Setting and Sustainability.
The app recognized main sources of city odours, together with waste administration and industrial actions. 4 municipalities—Metropolis of Vancouver, Delta, Burnaby and Richmond—emerged as hotspots, every with its personal distinct scent profiles and related signs. Studies from Vancouver overwhelmingly centered on animal processing, whereas Delta noticed greater complaints about rubbish and compost, farming and hashish.
Crowdsourcing science
With greater than 3,500 reviews logged, the app showcases the ability of “crowdsourced science” in providing a extra detailed view of city air high quality.
“Traditional air quality measurements are limited by their fixed locations and set sampling intervals, often missing the rapid onsets and impacts of odours,” defined Dr. Sahil Bhandari, co-author and former postdoctoral researcher in UBC’s college of utilized science. “In addition, smell experiences are highly personal—what’s unpleasant to some people may be acceptable to others – and often occur in areas where monitors aren’t located. All this creates information gaps that traditional systems can’t address.”
Dr. Bhandari highlighted an occasion the place the app detected a powerful foul odour from a refinery incident forward of official reviews, underscoring its potential for well timed public consciousness and emergency response.
Broader and extra numerous participation
Regardless of these insights, extra public participation is required – for instance, the app primarily attracted white ladies aged 30 to 49 with out continual well being situations and males from the very best revenue bracket. The researchers’ future research will purpose for extra consultant reviews to supply a fuller image of city smells and their impacts.
Dr. Naomi Zimmerman, co-author and assistant professor of mechanical engineering at UBC mentioned: “Integrating crowdsourced data into urban planning and policy can enhance responses to unpleasant smells. The SmellVan project underscores the need for policies that address odour sources, their broader health impacts and the importance of including diverse community demographics and perspectives.”
The research was published in July within the journal Environmental Analysis: Well being. To schedule interviews with the researchers, please contact lou.bosshart@ubc.ca
