November 2007
Setting Occupational Exposure Limits for Odors/Irritants
Our Challenge
- We examined the role of unpleasant chemical odors as irritants to a perception of increased risk and whether these perceptions can be incorporated in the setting of Occupational Exposure Limits (OELs)
Our Approach
- We evaluated the published literature on the topic of irritation and olfactory response with regard to common chemical irritants
- Examined chemosensory models
- Explored factors known to influence perception of risk to health
- Examined how occupational and environmental standards for odors and irritants have been established over past 50 years
Our Findings
- Within the United States, OELs have attempted to avoid chronic irritation rather than odor recognition
- More stringent guidelines for odorous chemicals may be necessary in the coming years to address risk perception
- A flow-chart that we developed can be used to set OELs for chemicals may be extended to set ambient air concentrations for virtually any irritants
- Results were published in a journal in 2008