**About this resource:**

> EPA is providing this resource solely for informational purposes. The
> agency can not attest to the accuracy, effectiveness, legality or
> usefulness of the information provided, nor does the inclusion or
> reference of such language constitute an endorsement by EPA.

**Document Name:**

> MHD Odor (Emissions) Control

**Organization/Agency Responsible:**

> Massachusetts Highway Department (MHD)

**Contact:** Trygve Swift

> Environmental Scientist
>
> Massachusetts Turnpike Authority
>
> Central Artery/Tunnel Project
>
> 617-342-1357
>
> Tbswift@bigdig.com

**Description:** Central Artery Project (Big Dig)

> This project reconstructs the central artery and extension of the
> Massachusetts Turnpike and is expected to be completed in the spring
> of 2007. All pieces of construction equipment must have a diesel
> oxidation catalyst (DOC) and cannot idle in excess of five minutes.

**SECTION 721.562**

**CONSTRUCTION ODOR CONTROL**

**DESCRIPTION**

**1.01 GENERAL**

A. This Section specifies requirements for controlling odors generated
during Work of this Contract. It supplements the air pollution control
requirements of Division I, Subsection 7.01B.

B. The Contractor is responsible for controlling hazardous odors and
nuisance odors encountered or created during Work of this Contract,
including odors associated with site sanitation.

C. The Contractor shall investigate odor complaints, ascertain the odor
source, and promptly implement appropriate odor control measures.

**1.02 TERMS USED**

A. *Hazardous odor* - Odor that is determined to be hazardous or toxic.

B. *Nuisance odor* - Odor that is determined to be non-hazardous or
non-toxic.

C. *Contractor personnel* - Contractor employees and representatives,
and Subcontractor employees and representatives.

**1.03 RELATED WORK SPECIFIED ELSEWHERE**

A. Section 119.010 - Site Sanitation for Pest Control

B. Section 120.020 - Transportation and Disposal of Clay and Till

C. Section 120.080 - Contaminated Soil Excavation

D. Section 140.141 - Erosion and Sedimentation Control

E. Section 148.100 - Dredging

F. Section 721.110 - Hazardous Materials Health and Safety Plan
Requirements

G. Section 721.120 - Emergency Response Plan Requirements

**1.04 REGULATORY REQUIREMENTS**

A. The Contractor shall perform Work in compliance with the
Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection, Code of
Massachusetts Regulations (CMR) 310 CMR 7.00, \"Air Pollution Control
Regulations\" specifically 310 CMR 7.09, \"Dust, Odor, Construction and
Demolition\" and 310 CMR 7.11, \"Transportation Media.\"

B. The Contractor shall also perform Work in compliance with the City of
Boston\'s Air Pollution Control Commission \"Regulations for the Control
of Atmospheric Pollution\" as adopted under the provisions of Section
31C, Chapter 3, \"General Laws.\"

**1.05 SUBMITTALS**

A. Submit materials data required by Division I Subsection 6.01.

B. Prior to the use of an odor suppression agent, submit pertinent
literature and Material Safety Data Sheet to the Resident Engineer for
review.

C. Submit odor control program required by Division I Subsection 7.01B.
The program shall outline in detail the measures to be implemented by
the Contractor to comply with this Section.

D. Furnish monitoring results and logs of complaints as specified under
Construction Methods.

**MATERIALS**

**2.01 ODOR SUPPRESSION AGENTS**

A. Odor suppression agents shall be water soluble, non-toxic,
non-reactive, and non-volatile.

B. The use of petroleum based products for odor suppression is strictly
prohibited in this Contract.

**2.02 COVERS**

A. Covers for excavated areas and stockpiled material shall be at least
10-mil thick polyethylene sheets. Covers for contaminated soil or
material shall comply with Section 120.080. For material consisting of
clay or till, coverings shall comply with Section 120.020.

**CONSTRUCTION METHODS**

**3.01 NUISANCE ODOR CONTROL**

A. Methods that shall be used by the Contractor to control nuisance
odors associated with earthwork include:

1\. Improving site drainage and preventing standing water from remaining
in excavated areas.

2\. Covering stockpiles of excavated material with polyethylene sheeting
and securing it with sandbags or an equivalent method to prevent the
cover from being dislodged by the wind. The Contractor shall repair or
replace covers whenever damaged or dislodged, at no additional cost to
the Department.

3\. Reducing the amount of time that excavated material is exposed to
the open atmosphere.

4\. Chemically treating excavated areas and stockpiled material.
Permission of the Engineer must be obtained prior to the use of any
chemical application for controlling odor. This method shall be used
only when other methods are impractical.

5\. Maintaining the construction site free of trash, garbage, and debris
in accordance with Section 119.010.

6\. Fully covering and securing haul truck cargos during material
transport on public roadways.

7\. Cleaning-up and properly disposing of excavated material that is
deemed odorous. If odorous material is located on public roadways or
walkways, clean-up methods shall consist of wet spray sweeping or
vacuuming only.

B. Methods that shall be used by the Contractor to control nuisance
odors associated with diesel emissions from construction equipment
include:

1\. Turning off diesel combustion engines on construction equipment not
in active use and on dump trucks that are idling while waiting to load
or unload material for 5 minutes or more.

2\. Establishing a staging zone for trucks that are waiting to load or
unload material at the contract area, in a location where the diesel
emissions from the trucks will not be noticeable to the public.

3\. Locating combustion engines away from sensitive receptors such as
fresh air intakes, air conditioners, and windows.

4\. In addition to the above diesel emission control measures, all
off-road diesel powered equipment used for this contract shall contain
oxidation catalyst emission control equipment on the exhaust system side
of the equipment.

**3.02 ODOR MONITORING**

> A. Sensory Detection

1\. Sensory detection of odors (i.e., smelling) shall only be performed
to determine a \"boundary\" of potential odor source(s).

> B. Instrumentation Monitoring
>
> 1\. As directed by the Engineer odor monitoring to determine potential
> hazards using instrumentation shall be used in accordance with Section
> 721.110.

2\. The Contractor shall document and submit to the Engineer all data on
odor monitoring concentrations.

**3.03 CONTRACTOR COMPLAINTS**

A. The Contractor shall notify the Engineer of all internal complaints
originated from Contractor personnel regarding odors at the construction
site. The Engineer will notify the Contractor of all external complaints
from regulatory agencies or the public.

B. The Contractor shall document and maintain a log of all complaints
originated from Contractor personnel and from the Engineer, regarding
odors at the construction site.

C. For odors that are being produced from materials that are determined
to be hazardous, the Contractor shall comply with the requirements of
the Hazardous Materials Health and Safety Plan Section 721.110 and the
Emergency Response Plan Section 721.120.

D. For odors that are determined to be non-hazardous, (i.e., nuisance
odors), the Contractor shall implement appropriate control measures.

**COMPENSATION**

**4.01 METHOD OF MEASUREMENT AND BASIS OF PAYMENT**

A. All odor control measures will be considered incidental to the Work
and will not be measured or paid for separately.