Qualitative and Quantitative Analysis of Volatile Constituents from Latrines
Abstract
More than 2.5 billion people defecate in the open. The increased commitment of private and public organizations to improving this situation is driving the research and development of new technologies for toilets and latrines. Although key technical aspects are considered by researchers when designing new technologies for developing countries, the basic aspect of offending malodors from human waste is often neglected. With the objective of contributing to technical solutions that are acceptable to global consumers, we investigated the chemical composition of latrine malodors sampled in Africa and India. Field latrines in four countries were evaluated olfactively and the odors qualitatively and quantitatively characterized with three analytical techniques. Sulfur compounds including H2S, methyl mercaptan, and dimethyl-mono-(di;tri) sulfide are important in sewage-like odors of pit latrines under anaerobic conditions. Under aerobic conditions, in Nairobi for example, paracresol and indole reached concentrations of 89 and 65 μg/g, respectively, which, along with short chain fatty acids such as butyric acid (13 mg/g) explained the strong rancid, manure and farm yard odor. This work represents the first qualitative and quantitative study of volatile compounds sampled from seven pit latrines in a variety of geographic, technical, and economic contexts in addition to three single stools from India and a pit latrine model system.
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Dimethyl sulphide, dimethyl disulphide, dimethyl trisulphide, methyl mercaptan, and hydrogen sulphide were contributed to the sewage, rotten egg, and rotten vegetable odours.
“Dimethyl sulphide, dimethyl disulphide, dimethyl trisulphide, methyl mercaptan, and hydrogen sulphide were contributed to the sewage, rotten egg, and rotten vegetable odours.”
From Are pit latrines in urban areas of Sub-Saharan Africa performing? A review of usage, filling, insects and odour nuisances (2015) · cites this paper as [76]
Of the 198 volatile constituents detected, isobutyric, butyric, isovaleric, 2methyl butyric, valeric, hexanoic and phenylacetic acids were responsible for the rancid, cheesy odour/smell in pit latrines.
“Of the 198 volatile constituents detected [77], isobutyric, butyric, isovaleric, 2methyl butyric, valeric, hexanoic and phenylacetic acids were responsible for the rancid, cheesy odour/smell in pit latrines.”
From Are pit latrines in urban areas of Sub-Saharan Africa performing? A review of usage, filling, insects and odour nuisances (2015) · cites this paper as [77]
The manure, farmyard, horse-like characteristics of latrine odour were attributed to the combined effects of phenol, p-cresol, indole, skatole, and some carboxylic acids.
“The manure, farmyard, horse-like characteristics of latrine odour were attributed to the combined effects of phenol, p-cresol, indole, skatole, and some carboxylic acids.”
From Are pit latrines in urban areas of Sub-Saharan Africa performing? A review of usage, filling, insects and odour nuisances (2015) · cites this paper as [76]
A study by J Lin, et al. using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry and olfactive analyses found many more odorants.
“However, a study by J Lin, et al. [76] using gas chromatography - mass spectrometry and olfactive analyses found many more odorants.”
From Are pit latrines in urban areas of Sub-Saharan Africa performing? A review of usage, filling, insects and odour nuisances (2015) · cites this paper as [76]
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“[76] Durban VP dry pit Weak Sewage, phenol-like”
BackgroundMethodInfluential
- Authors
- Lin, J., Aoll, J., Niclass, Y., Velazco, M. I., Wünsche, L., Pika, J., & Starkenmann, C.
- Affiliations
- Firmenich (Switzerland) (CH)
- Corresponding author
- Pika, Jana
- Starkenmann, Christian
- Venue
- Environmental Science & Technology
- Publisher
- American Chemical Society (ACS)
- Published
- 2013-07-05
- Volume
- 47
- Issue
- 14
- Pages
- 7876-7882
- ISSN
- 0013-936X (ISSN-L)
- 1520-5851
- OpenAlex
- W2332385069
- Cited by
- 48
- References
- 21
- Citations by year
- 2026: 1 · 2025: 1 · 2024: 6 · 2023: 2 · 2022: 4 · 2021: 3 · 2020: 5 · 2019: 3 · 2018: 5 · 2017: 4 · 2016: 6 · 2015: 4 · 2014: 4
- FWCI
- 2.01
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Environmental Science & Technology (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Physical Sciences › Chemical Engineering › Process Chemistry and Technology › Odor and Emission Control Technologies
- Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Waste Management and Disposal › Landfill Environmental Impact Studies
- Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Health, Toxicology and Mutagenesis › Indoor Air Quality and Microbial Exposure
- Keywords
- volatile organic compounds, pit latrines, human waste, odor characterization, sulfur compounds, hydrogen sulfide, methyl mercaptan, dimethyl sulfide, indole, butyrate, short-chain fatty acids, open defecation, toilet design, anaerobic conditions, aerobic conditions, olfactory testing
- MeSH terms
- Feces, Humans, Odorants, Solid Phase Microextraction, Volatile Organic Compounds
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