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The Nose – A Highly Sensitive Measuring Instrument

Guideline VDI 3940 Part 3: Measurement of odour in ambient air by field inspection – Determination of odour intensity and hedonic odour tone

(Duesseldorf, 12/18/2009) Odorants in the ambient air cannot be measured with the chemical and physical methods conventionally used for air pollutants. This is why special investigation methods are required for the measurement of odour impact. The human nose is a widely used “measuring instrument” for this purpose.

 

Guideline VDI 3940 Part 3 is a guide to the measurement of odour intensity and hedonic odour tone in ambient air. The method described can be applied as a supplementary test, e.g. in the course of the grid measurements described in VDI 3940 Part 1 without any significant extra requirements in terms of time or materials.

 

To obtain useful results, the guideline lays down the requirements to be met by panel members, during measurement planning and during the practical performance of measurement on site. Odour intensity is measured on a seven-point scale extending from “very weak” to “extremely strong”. For hedonic odour tone, the odour is assessed on a nine-point sensation scale ranging from “extremely unpleasant” to “extremely pleasant”. Sample calculations serve as a guide to the mathematical evaluation and interpretation of the measurement results.

 

The assessment of odour intensity and hedonic odour tone can be of use for planning emission reduction measures and checking their effectiveness or in the course of permit proceedings to determine whether the preconditions for permit award are met. Guideline VDI 3940 Part 3 will be available in German/English edition from Beuth Verlag in Berlin from january 2010 at a cost of 118,20 €. The publisher in Berlin can be contacted by phone at +49 (0) 30 26 01 22 60. Online orders can be placed at www.vdi.de/richtlinien or www.beuth.de.

 

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