ABSTRACT
As part of a study to test the use of population panels as a method for assessing odour annoyance in a direct way, a comparison of the odour annoyance experienced by such population panels and the odour immission concentrations expressed in odour units/m3 of air samples taken simultaneously, was made. It was found that in a city where odour annoyance occurs regularly, no relationship could be found between the amount of odour annoyance experienced and the immission concentrations. Furthermore, it was shown that the odour concentrations of pleasant smells (meadows forest) in an unpolluted area may be as high as 24 odour units. It is concluded that the amount of annoyance caused by odours can not be deduced from concentration measurements, but should be assessed in a direct way. Population panels provide a good means of obtaining such data. They are reliable and can give indications about the important sources of annoying odours in complex industrial areas.
