MODERN METHODOLOGICAL APPROACHES TO THE EXPERIMENTAL SUBSTANTIATION OF THE PERMISSIBLE CONTENT OF ODOROUS SUBSTANCES IN THE AMBIENT AIR

Abstract

The paper presents an overview of the main methodological approaches in experimental standardization of odorants (or mixtures of odorants) in the ambient air according to «obsessive» odor inadmissibility as a limiting criterion for justification of Maximum allowable concentration (MAC maximum one time dose) . It is shown that the developed procedure of establishing a permissible content of those substances is based on estimating the relationship «concentration – odor sensation probability of different intensity» (olfactory-odorimetry), using a common scoring of smell intensity and modern olfactometry equipment. Justified normative values are harmonized with international criteria for air quality including epidemiological studies-based levels established for odors with various qualitative characteristics. Their implementation will ensure the protection of the population from «obsessive» odor.