Multidimensional assessment of self-reported chemical intolerance and its impact on chemosensory effects during ammonia exposure

Abstract

Self-reports of CI are complex and not easily assessed by unidimensional questionnaires. While generalized self-reported CI is associated with altered chemosensory processing, it seems unlikely that it modulates health effects and cognitive functioning during chemical exposure.

Sniffin’ Sticks and Olfactometer-Based Odor Thresholds for n-Butanol: Correspondence and Validity for Indoor Air Scenarios

“…Figure S3: Schematic overview of the experimental procedure during the ammonia exposure (cf. [11,12]). Figure S4: Measured concentration values of ammonia during the experimental exposure.…”

“…The procedure as described in previous studies [11,12] was applied. In short, subjects were exposed to an ascending concentration of ammonia (CAS: 7664-41-7) over 75 min.…”

“…To this end, a novel ascending limits procedure presenting a stair-wise increasing concentration of n-butanol under normal breathing conditions in an exposure lab was conducted, and its results correlated with the results of the established methods (Sniffin' Sticks and olfactometry). Moreover, the transferability of the results to the malodorous compound ammonia and its odor effects was tested; it was investigated whether the n-butanol thresholds derived using Sniffin' Sticks or olfactometry are associated with the perceptual and behavioral odor effects of the malodorous compound ammonia in a well-controlled natural breathing scenario simulated by means of an exposure lab experiment [11,12]. To compare the results of individuals more and less sensitive to n-butanol during ammonia exposure and, in this way, to mimic the potential behavior of different selected panelists in real-world scenarios, subgrouping of the sample was performed using cut-off values from a large normative sample (Sniffin' Sticks) [1] or the DIN EN 13725 norm (80 ppb) [7].…”

Human Ammonia Emission Rates under Various Indoor Environmental Conditions

“…In nonindustrial environments, chemesthesis is its dominating health effect, 2 and minor neurophysiological effects are expected. 15 Higher NH 3 concentrations are associated with adverse health effects including irritation of eyes, nose, and skin; headaches; asthma; and other respiratory problems. 16,17 NH 3 is also toxic to the brain, perturbing the ability of glial cells to remove potassium.…”

“…Through several multiphase reactions, NH 3 contributes significantly to PM 2.5 formation; − it also impacts partitioning of gaseous acidic and basic species to aqueous aerosols, aqueous surface films, and bulk water; , thus, it has a substantial impact on air quality. In nonindustrial environments, chemesthesis is its dominating health effect, and minor neurophysiological effects are expected . Higher NH 3 concentrations are associated with adverse health effects including irritation of eyes, nose, and skin; headaches; asthma; and other respiratory problems. , NH 3 is also toxic to the brain, perturbing the ability of glial cells to remove potassium .…”