T. Higuchi: Estimation of uncertainty in olfactometry, Water Science & Technology, Vol. 59, No. 7, pp. 1409-1413 (2009)

Abstract Estimation of uncertainty in odour measurement is essential to the interpretation of the measurement results. The fundamental procedure for the estimation of measurement uncertainty comprises the specification of the measurement process, expression of the measurement model and all influences, evaluation of the standard uncertainty of each component, calculation of the combined standard uncertainty, determination of a coverage factor, calculation of the expanded uncertainty and reporting. Collaborative study such as interlaboratory comparison of olfactometry yields performance indicators of the measurement method including repeatability and reproducibility. Therefore, the use of collaborative test results for measurement uncertainty estimation according to ISO/TS 21748 and ISO 20988 is effective and reasonable. Measurement uncertainty of the triangular odour bag method was estimated using interlaboratory comparison data from 2003 to 2007 on the basis of the simplest model of statistical analysis, and the expanded uncertainty of odour index ranged between 3.1 and 6.7. On the basis of the establishment of the estimation procedure for uncertainty, a coherent interpretation method for the measurement results will be proposed and more effective and practical quality control of olfactometry will be available.(PPT)

H. Ueno*, S. Amano**, B. Merecka*** and J. Kośmider****

Difference in the odor concentrations measured by the triangle odor bag method and dynamic olfactometry

*Tokyo Metropolitan Research Institute for Environmental Protection, 1-7-5 Shinsuna, Koto-ku, Tokyo, 136-0075 Japan (E-mail: ueno-h@tokyokankyo.jp)
**Tokyo Metropolitan Government, 2-8-1 Nishi-Shinjyuku, Shinjyuku-ku, Tokyo, 163-8001 Japan (E-mail: Saeko_Amano@member.metro.tokyo.jp)
***Odournet UK Ltd, 5, St. Margaret's Street, Bradford on Avon, Wiltshire BA15 1DA, UK (E-mail: bmerecka@odournet.com)
**** Szczecin University of Technology, Piastów Avenue 42, 71-065 Szczecin, Poland (E-mail: Joanna.Kosmider@ps.pl)

Abstract  ‘The triangle odor bag method’, which has been adopted for the offensive odor control law in Japan, and the dynamic olfactometry defined by EN 13725 have been compared. The odor concentration measured by the triangle odor bag method tends to be higher than that of the dynamic olfactometry in the forced choice mode, while well agreed in the Yes/No mode olfactometry when the panel is the same. The difference can be minimized by applying the panel selection criterion of EN13725 to the triangle odor bag method. The European panel selection test is useful to negate the difference in the measurement equipments although the criteria seem to be strict considering the individual threshold data of n-butanol.(PPT)

Odor Threshold Table

Odor_Measurement_Review