The influence of human activity on ventilation requirements for the control of body odor.

Body odour emitted by 16 occupants at three activity levels (1, 4 and 6 met) was evaluated by 30 male and female judges. The judges assessed, when entering the occupied room, the intensity and acceptability of the body odour. CO2 concentration and air change rate were measured. For the same CO2 concentration, the body odour intensity was of the same magnitude whether the occupants were sedentary or engaged in physical activity up to 6 met. But odour caused by physical activity was less acceptable than odour from sedentary occupants. An activity of 6 met required a ventilation rate 11 timeshigher than a sedentary activity. There was no difference in odour emission from sedentary occupants, whether they were dressed in their normal indoor clothing or were naked.