Evaluation of the potential use of electronic noses in the monitoring of odors

Summary

Odour nuisance now affects between 13% and 20% of the European population (Merlen, 2017). Regulations have changed in recent years and odours are now considered to be pollution. At the same time, various methods for assessing odours (a highly complex analytical issue) have been developed. In 1982, at Warwick University, a new device called the "electronic nose" was created, combining a series of non-specific sensors with an automated recognition system. Since then, tools and commercial proposals have flourished, but with what results? Opinions are often divided. This study provided an opportunity to review the state of the art in e-nose technology and assess its potential for use in public and industrial environments. It comprises three main parts: a state of the art, a market analysis and concrete case studies. 40 interviews were conducted with industry players in order to gain a better understanding of the discrepancies between, on the one hand, the messages conveyed by the literature and sales pitches and, on the other, feedback from e-nose users.