Measurement of Perceived Odor Intensity Using Gas-Sensor Systems

In the present study Multi gas-sensor systems (MGSS) are used to evaluate the odor intensityas it is perceived by humans. These systems measure volatile compounds in a holistic mannerand present a signal pattern of the air sample. The model for the determination of the odorintensity consists of two major parts: discrimination into odor classes and subsequentquantification of the intensity. The discrimination is achieved by multivariate statisticalmethods or neural networks. The correlation to the intensity is done by odor class specificregression methods. The development of the data processing is based on calibration dataconsisting of simultaneously obtained MGSS responses and assessments of the perceivedintensity by a trained human panel using a comparative scale. Different building materialswere investigated. The study shows that MGSS have the potential to be used as ameasurement device for perceived intensity using a data processing method on basis of anodor classification.