Psychophysical Measurement of Odor Perception in Humans

Abstract

The olfactory system is a remarkable receiving and integrating system capable of detecting and discriminating among thousands of odorants, often at concentrations too low to be sensed by analytical instruments such as the gas Chromatograph. The resultant odor sensations derive not only from Single chemicals, but from mixtures which contain, in some instances, hundreds of elements. In the latter case complex summation and integration occurs which most commonly results in a unitary perception of a smell.