Offensive Odors in El Salto, Jalisco: Results of a Multidisciplinary Study

Abstract

The article presents part of the results of a multidisciplinary exploratory study on the problem of offensive odours in two sites in the municipality of El Salto, Jalisco. Through the consilience of different disciplines (social anthropology, environmental chemistry, cartography and dynamic olfactometry), the paper documents that constant exposure to these odours generates physical and emotional discomfort to people, as well as representing a serious risk to public health due to the presence of worrying concentrations of hydrogen sulphide (up to 22 ppm) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs), including benzene, toluene and formaldehyde. The document highlights the absence of Mexican regulations to regulate offensive odours, a situation that aggravates the vulnerability of the affected communities, and concludes that it is urgent to implement a continuous monitoring network, establish specific legislation and encourage the political participation of the people to address the environmental crisis in the municipality with a focus on territorial justice.