"Odour violations again detected at Lifosa, company disagrees

The National Centre for Public Health (NCPH) has again found that AB „Lifosa“ exceeded the established odour emission limits. This is not the first time that the NVSC has found violations at the company, but as in the past, the company is reluctant to accept the experts' findings.

Violations in three sources

After several complaints as early as late summer and early autumn last year, NVSC specialists finally carried out odour emission controls in March 2026, after having encountered numerous technical problems. The results of the investigation confirmed – the company is not complying with the established rules.

„Please be informed that on 9 March, 12 March and 23 March 2026 the Kaunas Department of the NVSC carried out an operational state public health safety inspection to assess whether the company complies with the established odour management conditions. During the inspection, 22 air samples were taken by a specialist from the National Public Health Laboratory (NHPL) to determine the odour emission indicators from the odour pollution sources operating in the company.

Based on the results of the tests of odour emission indicators at the sources provided by the Chemical Research Department of the NVSPL, it was found that three odour pollution sources exceeded the permissible emission indicators set out in the company's Integrated Pollution Prevention and Control permit, according to a statement issued by the NVSC.

NVSC also informs that on 26 March, the company „Lifosa“ was issued with an inspection report and instructed to remedy the infringements found during the inspection by 26 June 2026.

„Lifosa“ questions the methodology chosen

Although this is not the first time that the NVSC has found odour emission violations at this company, the management of AB „Lifosa“ has again demonstrated doubts about the accuracy of the study. As in previous cases where the NVSC's findings have been unfavourable, the company is hinting at possible errors in the investigation.

„Our specialists are currently thoroughly analysing the information provided.

A preliminary assessment of the data received suggests that methodological considerations may have influenced the recorded indicators, and we plan to discuss the results further with representatives of the institution.

We would like to stress that full compliance with environmental standards and legal requirements has been and remains a constant priority for the company's activities," the company's response said.

A odour test after more than six months

We recall that one of several complaints was made as early as 8 September 2025, when the centre of Kėdainiai was flooded with unbearable smells of sulphur and chemical substances. However, real air samples were only taken in March 2026 – more than half a year later.

The reason for the delay – the tragic state of the country's laboratories. The only olfactometer (a device for detecting the concentration of odours) in the whole of Lithuania broke down time after time, and while officials were fixing the equipment, the population was left in the dark.

Interestingly, Kėdainiai residents say they have not smelled the specific, throat-clearing sulphur smells that plagued them in autumn for a long time. Despite this relative improvement, the NVSC still found violations at three sources of pollution.

This begs the question – if even now, when the smell is less intense, specialists are recording exceedances, what would they have recorded in September if they had arrived when people were gasping for breath?

It seems that as long as the control mechanism is more than half a year late and the business giants question every measurement, the right of the population to clean air remains only on paper.