Nasal pungency thresholds

Colorless liquid with a sweet, banana-like odor. A detection odor threshold concentration of 275 pg/m (52 ppbv) was reported by Punter (1983). Cometto-Muniz and Cain (1991) reported an average nasal pungency threshold concentration of 1,650 ppmv. 

Clear, colorless liquid with a rancid sweet odor similar to fusel oil. Experimentally determined detection and recognition odor threshold concentrations were 900 pg/m (300 ppbv) and 3.0 mg/m (1.0 ppmv), respectively (Heilman and Small, 1974). Odor threshold concentration in water is 500 ppb (Buttery et al, 1988). The least detectable odor threshold in concentration water at 60 °C was 0.2 mg/L (Alexander et al., 1982). Cometto-Muniz et al. (2000) reported nasal pungency threshold concentrations ranging from approximately 900 to 4,000 ppm. 

Clear, colorless, flammable liquid with a sweet almond, medicinal or mothball-like odor. An odor threshold concentration of 210 ppbv was reported by Leonardos et al. (1969). At 40 °C, the lowest concentration at which an odor was detected was 190 pg/L. At 25 °C, the lowest concentration at which a taste was detected was 190 pg/L (Young et al, 1996). The average least detectable odor threshold concentration in water at 60 °C was 0.08 mg/L (Alexander et al, 1982). Cometto-Muhiz and Cain (1994) reported an average nasal pungency threshold concentration of 10,553 ppmv. 

Clear, colorless, very flammable liquid with a characteristic, pungent odor. An odor threshold concentration of 20 ppby was determined by a triangular odor bag method (Nagata and Takeuchi, 1990). Cometto-Muniz et al. (2000) reported nasal pungency threshold concentration ranging from approximately 500 to 3,200 ppm. 

Clear, colorless to pale yellow, flammable liquid with a sharp, penetrating, nauseating fish-like odor. Odor threshold concentrations in water and air were 2 ppm (Buttery et al., 1988) and 21 ppbv (Leonardos et al, 1969), respectively. Detection odor threshold concentrations of 0.74 mg/m (2.3 ppmv) and 6 mg/m (1.9 ppmv) were experimentally determined by Katz and Talbert (1930) and Dravnieks (1974), respectively. Cometto-Muniz and Cain (1990) reported an average nasal pungency threshold concentration of 1,275 ppmv. 

In another example, Abraham et al. correlated the nasal pungency thresholds (NPT), in parts per million (ppm), for a set of compounds at 298 K with the LSER parameters to obtain Eq. [22]. 

Famini, G.R., Aguiar, D., Payne, M.A., Rodriguez, R. and Wilson, L.Y. (2002) Using the theoretical linear energy solvation energy relationship to correlate and predict nasal pungency thresholds. J. Mol. Graph. Model., 20, 277-280. 

Cometto-Mnniz, J.E. and Cain, W.S. Nasal pungency, odor and eye irritation thresholds for homologous acetates. Pharmacol. Blochem. Behav., 39(4) 983-989, 1991. 

Cometto-Mnniz, J.E. and Cain, W.S. Thresholds for odor and nasal pungency. Physiol Behav., 48(5) 719-725, 1990. Cometto-Mnniz, J.E., Cain, W.S., Hiraishi.T., Abraham. M.H., and Gola.J.M.R. Comparison of two stimulus-deliveiy systems for measnrement of nasal pnngency thresholds, Chem. Senses, 25(3) 285-291, 2000. 

Cometto-Muiz, ).E. and Cain, W.S. (1990) Thresholds for odor and nasal pungency. Physiological Behaviour, 48, 719-25. 

Many common VOCs have well-documented health effects at elevated levels. In most indoor environments however, the exposure is described as low since concentrations are negligible in comparison to occupational limit values. Sensory responses to VOCs also include odor response, nasal irritation (pungency) and eye irritation ( Devos et al., 1990 and Cometto-Mu iz and Cain, 1990). The maximum concentrations determined in Singapore buildings were compared with some of the common health and comfort guidelines. The values are presented in Table 10.5. It is observed that the maximum concentrations for the majority of the target compounds are within recommended guidelines. Levels are very low as compared to threshold limit values related to health and irritation. 

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