Determination of the Sources Responsible for Odour Complaints in an Enclosed Working Space via the Use of Sensorial Analysis, GC-MS Analysis and GC-Sniffing

Abstract

People spend an estimated 90% of their time indoors in homes, offices, shops and public buildings; thus, indoor air quality (IAQ) may considerably affect human health and well-being. If this applies, it is essential that one can work without interference of for example noise, smell, bad lighting, … In this examination focus is on the aspect of smell. Of the different categories of compounds found in indoor environments, volatile organic compounds (VOC) for example aldehydes, alcohols, aromatic hydrocarbons, carboxylic acids and ketones can often reach higher indoor concentrations compared to the corresponding outdoor values. The odour thresholds of several VOC are low enough to affect perceived air quality, resulting in a number of acute effects of reported sensory irritation of eyes and respiratory tract and deterioration of performance. The smell experience (air quality) depends on a number of factors that can influence the odour impact. An odorous VOC generally induces a sense of smell at concentrations at and above the odour threshold. In addition, at a concentration, generally several orders of magnitude higher, the compound can cause sensorial irritation. The aim is always to improve the IAQ and promoting in this way the workers’ comfort and protecting human health. In that context, an accurate identification of sources and other determinants of exposure to VOC in indoor microenvironments is essential for the development of successful prevention strategies in building design, operation and maintenance.