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2011
Presentation
Titel
Identification of anthropogenic odor active compounds causing bad air quality in highly occupied rooms
Titel Supplements
Presentation held at Indoor Air 2011, the 12th International Conference on Indoor Air Quality and Climate; June 5-10, Austin, Texas
Abstract
Typical sources of human offodors influencing ambient air quality are of a fecal nature, breath malodors or products of human skin processes. Air quality is very much influenced by (objectionable) odors. Identification of odorous compounds, especially at trace levels, is more complicated than routine analysis of volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Compounds with low odor thresholds and at low concentrations (< 1ug/m³) are hardly detected by standard mass spectrometry. The most suitable technique for odor analysis is the combination of classical analytical instruments like gas chromatography with olfactometry, the detection of odors by the human nose. The chemical structure of anthropogenic malodors was elucidated according to the recommendations made by the International Organization of the Flavor Industry. Odorants of human origin negatively affecting indoor air quality were identified.