Odorimetric indicators of substances and their ability to cause emotional “annoyance”

Abstract

Introduction. The aim of the study was to analyze the quantitative relationship between the perceived intensity of the odours and its “offensiveness” (“annoyance potential”) in experimental organoleptic studies using the example of various perfumery aromatic compositions.
 Materials and methods. Experimental studies were carried out on the example of 22 perfume compositions (aromatic fragrances) used in the production of perfumery and cosmetic products. In total, 440 odorimetric measurements were carried out as part of the experiment. Statistical processing of the obtained data was carried out using the software Statistica for windows “StatSoft’ v. 7.0.
 Results. The linear association was revealed (R = 0.844; p = 0.0000008) between the perceived intensity of the aromatic compositions’ odour and its offensiveness (“annoyance potential”), defined as the percentage of positive responses; and the moderate linear association (R = 0.472; p=0.026) between the intensity of the odour and the sense of annoyance caused thereby, expressed in points. At the same time, a subjective assessment of the odour as annoying increases the likelihood of a higher assessment of its intensity.
 Limitation. The limitations of this study are associated with a relatively small number of participants, as well as the use of a relatively new method for recording the effects of odour stimuli, which requires additional testing.
 Conclusion. The intensity of the perceived odour was established to be an indicator that reflects not only its strength (concentration), but also a subjective attitude to it, reliably reflecting the degree of annoyance (feeling of “offensiveness”) by the odour present in the air, and, accordingly, can be taken as a base for establishing air quality criteria by odour in the environment.
 Keywords: odour intensity; “offensiveness” of the odour; “annoyance potential”; organoleptic studies; odorimetry; aromatic compositions 
 Compliance with ethical standards. The consent of the local ethics committee of the Centre for Strategic Planning of FMBA of Russia was obtained for the conduct of the research (protocol No. 3 dated August 17, 2020).
 Patient consent. Each participant of the study (or his/her legal representative) gave informed voluntary written consent to participate in the study and publish personal medical information in an impersonal form in the journal "Gigiena i Sanitariya (Hygiene and Sanitation, Russian journal)".