The aim of this paper is the definition of a new theoretical method for the evaluation of occupational exposure risk for workers involved in dynamic olfactometry. These workers, also called panellists, can be exposed to hazardous pollutants potentially present in odourous mixtures.

   Despite the relevance of this topic, in the regulation and the scientific literature, a standardized method to evaluate the panellists’ occupational is not provided. Therefore, this work aims to suggest practical solutions for the risk assessment of olfactometric workers. The proposed approach is based on the quantification of non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic risk for panellists’, based on the evaluation of hazard indexes (HIs) and the inhalation risks (IRs) for the odorous mixtures.

   Instrumental Odour Monitoring Systems (IOMS) are employed for continuous objectified technical olfaction. However, the reference for odour perception is the human nose, surpassing technology with outstanding sensitivity and selectivity for many compounds. In order to achieve comparable results, IOMS have to fulfil manifold requirements, resulting in considerable effort in engineering and cost. One-size-fits-all solutions are unlikely to function properly but are nevertheless marketed as the resulting performance is difficult to assess.

   In the course of the publicly funded research project SEPEG (sensor networks for the objective perception of odour sources, BMBF FKZ 01IS17087) all aspects of a complete IOMS solution are scrutinized in their respective context. A main focus of the project is on field test evaluation in real installation situations. Two installation sites have been equipped with networks of real-time IOMS devices.