Recommendations on Olfactometric Measurements

Summary

A special ‘odours’ sub-group of COST 681 Working Party 1 has made an inventory of existing guidelines for olfactometric-methods. These were discussed at a recent FAO/EEC Workshop on odours and a group of experts (‘Rosewarne Group’) agreed a series of recommendations formulating minimum conditions for conducting odour measurements with the aim of producing more consistent results and improved inter-laboratory comparisons. The recommendations cover (1) Sampling, including materials suitable for use, volumes required, transport and storage. (2) Olfactometer design, including minimum flow rates at sniffing ports, choice techniques, calibration and cleaning. (3) Panels, including the required background conditions, panel selection and panel size. (4) Operational procedures including method and numbers of presentations, size of dilution steps, and the minimum interstimulus interval. (5) Presentation of results including the method of calculation of the group threshold value. The recommendations are put forward for comment which could lead to improvements. It is proposed that the work of the special COST 681 sub-group on odours should continue with particular attention being paid to the measurement of odour offensiveness.