The Pollution Control Department (PCD) has recruited a panel of 167 smell assessors this year to evaluate and analyse odour emissions as part of odour regulation and control.
Department director-general Jatuporn Buruspat said the department has lately received several complaints about various kinds of polluting emissions from industrial factories.
Odour emission complaints account for 40% of total complaints, he said.
The Natural Resources and Environment Ministry formed the panel for determining the concentration of odours in polluted air in July 11, 2010, applicable to 23 types of industrial factories.
The trained panel of smell assessors use a method of sensory evaluation to determine odour concentrations.
Odour evaluators are required to pass tests and receive registration from the PCD or other concerned agencies, such as the Department of Industrial Works, Mr Jatuporn said.
On Monday, the PCD announced the names of a new panel of 167 smell testers.
Of them, 100 are PCD officials, 19 are from various regional environment offices under the Natural Resources and Environment Ministry, two are from the Water Resources Department, five are from the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration, 33 are from private companies and eight from educational institutes.
The panel will be tasked with analysing and assessing odorous air samples collected from pollution sources.
Mr Jatuporn said each test requires six evaluators, who will receive 600 baht each per sample-testing — a rate set by the Comptroller's General Department. He added that each assessor will smell no more than three odour samples.
Last year, an odour evaluation panel followed up on more than 30 odour complaints, he said
He said the department will also hold a workshop to train the assessors in the skill of detecting and analysing odour emissions from industrial plants, animal farms and other business activities.
The trained assessors can also provide advice on how to efficiently control and solve problems due to odour emissions, Mr Jatuporn said.