VDI 3882 Blatt 2:2021-11 - Draft

The standard describes an olfactometric test method, with the help of which odorous gas samples with odour concentrations above the odour threshold are evaluated with regard to their position on the sensation scale "pleasant - unpleasant". This so-called hedonic effect of an odour depends on the odorant or odorant mixture, on the odour concentration - and thus on the perceived odour intensity - and on the individual experience background of the smeller. By evaluating several suprathreshold concentration levels of a certain odorous gas sample, the course of the hedonic effect can be shown as a characteristic of this sample. The hedonic tone is not to be confused with the odour quality or the odour type (it smells flowery, pungent, foul, etc., it smells like ...). In the field of odour emission assessment, the determination of the hedonic tone of odour samples can, for example, provide clues for the identification of particularly unpleasant odorant streams. The specifications of this standard apply to the determination of the hedonic odour effect on the following samples, for example: emission samples from an odorous source; single substances or defined mixtures in neutral air.

13.040.99