US EPA

62802 

Journal Article 

Review 

Odor thresholds and irritation levels of several chemical substances: a review 

Ruth, JH 

1986 

Yes 

American Industrial Hygiene Association Journal
ISSN: 0002-8894 

47 

3 

A142-A151 

English 

3706135 

Although the sense of smell cannot be relied upon to evaluate the hazards of chemicals used in the workplace, the industrial hygienist can use the odor threshold of a chemical in the recognition phase as a rough estimation of airborne concentration. The purpose of this effort is to gather together, in one listing, the odor threshold and irritation level data published in several less accessible formats. The range from the lowest reported odor threshold to the highest reported odor threshold is reported. A brief review of the information available on our sense of smell and odors is presented along with a short review of several methods of defining a threshold of odor. Through an understanding of how the odor data have been developed and knowing the range of odor thresholds, the industrial hygienist can use these odor thresholds intelligently as a tool in the recognition of potential hazards.