Methodological assessment of screening methods and minimum panel member requirements for odor assessments

Abstract

Assessment and control of odor are important aspects of indoor air quality and environmental levels for building materials. Currently, odor is primarily assessed through sensory odor panels. The screening method and number of panel members required for odor assessment influence the accuracy of results and human resource investment. Varied screening methods and number of panel members have been employed in different studies, the plausibility of which yet remains to be verified. In this study the distribution of the chemical sensitivity scale (CSS) score for 158 panel members and its relationship with their individual assessment results were explored based on 20 and 39 odor assessment results for indoor air and building materials, respectively. The minimum number of panel members required for sensory assessment was determined statistically. The results revealed that the higher the CSS scores of the panel members, the lower the odor acceptability (ACC) and higher the odor intensity (OI) of the individual assessment, and vice versa. Thus, this relationship could be combined with the screening method to control the CSS-score distribution of panel members. The minimum number of panel members required for OI and ACC assessments were determined as 6 and 17, respectively. Compared to ACC, the distribution of OI was more concentrated and less affected by individual sensitivity differences. The results of this study will be helpful in improving the efficiency and accuracy of odor assessments by reducing the human resource investment and effects of individual differences.