Applicationofthestandardsniffinsticksmethodtothedeterminationodorinpectorsolfactorysensitivityinpoland.docVIP

Application of the standard Sniffin’ Sticks method to the determination Odor Inpectors’ olfactory sensitivity in Poland Rados?aw Barczak1, Izabela Sówka2, Alicja Nych2, Maria Skr?towicz2, Pawe? Zwo?dziak2 1 Warsaw University of Technology, Faculty of Environmental Engineering, Environmental Protection and Management Division, ul. Nowowiejska 20, 00-653 Warsaw, Poland 2 Wroclaw University of Technology, Institute of Environmental Protection Engineering, Ecologistics Group, Pl. Grunwaldzki 9, 50- 377 Wroclaw, Poland In Poland there is ongoing work on the prevention and odor control Policy. Thus, methods’ standardization of determination of olfactory detection threshold of the Odor Inspectors is one of a key issue. Selection of assessors according to the standard EN: 13725:2003 (Air Quality – Determination of odor concentration by dynamic olfactometry) requires technical infrastructure and panel members, what can be too expensive in present economic conditions in Poland. Then, application of the standard Sniffin’ Sticks can be an alternative method of the determination Odor Inspectors’ olfactory sensitivity in Poland. This paper will present some olfactory sensitivity data in the form of odor detection thresholds from two above mentioned methods: dynamic olfactometry (in accordance to the standard EN:13725:2003) and Sniffin’ Sticks method. In the last one the package of pens (14) with different concentration of n-butanol (from pen No 1 with concentration of n-butanol 64,8 mg/m3 to No 14 0,0079 mg/m3 respectively) was used. Pens were presented to 50 volunteers, especially students, according to standard procedure for testing individual odor sensitivity (St. Croix Sensory, Inc.). For every individuals breaks between two different methods was at least 4 days. One-time-made intercomparison study shows that olfactory detection threshold of the volunteers for Sniffin’ Sticks methods ranged from 5 to 11,5 (pen number), with a mean of 7, while ZITE values obtained d