Characterization of odorants in adhesives

Adhesives generally exhibit an unpleasant odor. Little is currently known about the substances that are responsible for these odors and how they may affect the human organism. The present analyses investigated the substances that are responsible for these unpleasant odors. Odors play an important role in our everyday lives. We frequently encounter naturally occurring odors, such as the smell of flowers or wood, but odors of manmade origins are increasing abundant in our environment. Many such odors are perceived as being unpleasant, such as the smell of adhesives. Unpleasant odors in products can not only strongly influence the purchasing decision of consumers, but can also significantly affect indoor air quality due to their predominant use indoors. In addition, odors that are released during production can lead to a strong odor burden in the workplace. Little is currently known about the odor-active substances in adhesives, or their irritation effect on humans. A joint study between the Fraunhofer Institute for Process Engineering and Packaging IVV and Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg targeted the odor of adhesives in view of identifying the nature and origin of the odorants responsible for the smell of adhesives. The results of these comprehensive studies provide important information for developing avoidance strategies and producing products with a lower overall odor impression.