ABSTRACT
Both static and dynamic sampling procedures are used for olfactometric measurements. Care must be taken inorder to obtain a representative sample and to minimize sample losses due to condensation, adsorption and permeation, when using static sampling methods, particularly. Teflon or Tedlar bags and inert tubing materials help to diminish adsorption and desorption problems. Condensation can be avoided by heating the sampling tubes or by prediluting the sample with pure, odour-free air. Within the EEC guide lines exist for odour measurement in The Netherlands, France, Germany and the United Kingdom. The usefulness of dynamic sampling is agreed on. The opinions differ as far as static sampling is concerned. It seems that both sampling methods can be applied successfully for olfactometric measurements. However, it is necessary to define the details of the procedures aiming at a standardization of sampling which might be the first step for a harmonization of olfactometric measurements in the laboratories of the different countries.
