Physicochemical Modeling of Sensory Irritation in Humans and Experimental Animals

INTRODUCTION Chemosensory detection of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) by humans rests on the senses of smell and sensory irritation, both being part of the body warning system. Several terms have been employed that subsume the sensations evoked by chemicals that are typically viewed as irritative. For example, in 1912, Parker introduced the concept of the “common chemical sense” (CCS) to describe general mucosal sensitivity to chemicals (1,2). More recently, the terms “chemesthesis” and “pungency” have been used to describe sensations evoked by chemicals that are not properly odors. Such pungency includes piquancy, tingling, prickling, irritation, stinging, burning, and freshness, among others.