The awareness of the public towards environmental odors has increased with higher levels of quality of life. Olfactometry, which is the science of the measurement of odours, remains the only method to characterize the odors and their effects on human perception. This relatively new science is regulated by the international guidelines available in Europe and North America. These guidelines recommend the use of an olfactometer.

No instrument has of yet, been able to reproduce the smell sensation of the human nose, because of the synergy exerted among the gases making up the odorous air. Accordingly, human have historically been used to measure odours, with the challenge of eliminating the bias in their evaluation and of obtaining a repeatable response. The science developed to consistently measure odours using humans without bias is therefore called olfactometry. The odour measured with olfactometry is an evaluation of its main character, namely its intensity and tone.

Clients requiring olfactometric analyses are generally engaged in activities releasing odours into the atmosphere, such as those handling or treating wastes, producing pulp and paper, manufacturing chemicals, transforming food products, handling dirty products and raising livestock. Even good odours, such as chocolate, can be annoying after a while.
The sampling of the odour source and the determination of its odour unit (required threshold dilution) allows for the analysis of solutions reducing the emission of odours below their threshold.

Odours can be analyzed using several olfactometric methods. With 15 years of research and testing, Consumaj has developed an analytical method producing consistent and reliable results. Thanks to the expertise acquired over the past 15 years, Consumaj has designed the ONOSE-8®a dynamic olfactometre offering precision and ease of operation.The ONOSE-8® is now being marketed throughout the world.
Our olfactometry team is at your service: info@onose.ca

Odours were first analyzed during the early 1900 to evaluate perfumes. Odour specialists were then used: the perfume evaluator was designated as a Nose, and was able to not only to create perfumes but also enhance the formulation.
The German author Patrick Süskind was inspired by this job when he created the character of Jean-Baptiste Grenouille in his book The Perfume (also used to produce a film). Reading the book promises colourful smells!