Industrial odours as environmental stressors: Exposure-annoyance associations and their modification by coping, age and perceived health

The degree of association between industrial odours and reported annoyance was investigated by means of field studies in four German cities, namely Duisburg (n = 400), Brühl (n = 539), Dortmund (n = 400) and Rodenkirchen (n = 200). The degree of odour exposure was assessed by estimating the frequency of odours by means of systematic field observations, whereas annoyance was assessed by personal interviews using standardized questionnaires. Both studies revealed highly significant associations between odour exposure and degree of annoyance. Odour annoyance was correlated with personal factors: age was negatively related to annoyance, whereas dissatisfaction with health exhibited positive associations with annoyance. Coping strategies were also associated with odour annoyance: high scores in problem-oriented coping strategies increased annoyance, whereas high scores in avoidance coping reduced annoyance. Coping strategies based upon the reduction of emotional stress were not associated with annoyance. Since none of the interaction terms of the full regression model proved significant, no true moderators were identified. In order to check for aquiescence bias, people who were interviewed personally were compared with those who could not be approached directly and who were therefore contacted by mail. Despite some significant differences in terms of gender, education, occupation, problem-oriented coping and avoidance coping, both groups did not differ in terms of annoyance.