Ventilation requirements for the control of body odour in spaces occupied by women.

The intensity and acceptability of body odour was assessed 29 times on entering an experimental auditorium occupied by 106 women, by 40 female and 39 male judges. The experiment lasted 3 hours 50 minutes and the ventilation rate was varied while the air temperature was maintained at around 20-21 deg C. CO2 was measured throughout. It was found that there were no substantial differences in the ventilation rates required in rooms occupied by men and women. In order to satisfy 80% of people entering a space, a steady-state ventilation rate of about 8 L/sec person is necessary.