Odour intensity assessment from solid flooring materials - comparison of continuous and discrete scales

Olivier Ramalho (1) , Marjorie Jacquelin (1) , François Maupetit (1)

1 CSTB - Centre Scientifique et Technique du Bâtiment

The aim of this study was to compare the use of two different scales in the measurement of odour intensity from 12 solid flooring materials. Material samples were introduced in Tedlar® bags and assessed by a panel trained in the use of these scales with butanol references. No large significant differences have been observed between repetitions and scales. Linoleums and carpets with tar backing bestowed high odour intensity ratings while carpets and vinyl flooring with foam backing yield the lowest scores. The continuous scale method has proved to be repeatable, less time-consuming than the discrete method. Furthermore, the references provided to the subject allowed both individual and session calibration as intensity ratings can be transformed in equivalent concentration levels.

Domaines: Sciences de l'environnement

Olivier Ramalho, Marjorie Jacquelin, François Maupetit. Odour intensity assessment from solid flooring materials - comparison of continuous and discrete scales. 7th International Conference, Healthy Buildings 2003, Dec 2003, Singapore, Singapore. pp.201-206. ⟨hal-00688524⟩