Wiley-Blackwell Odors and Deodorization in the Environment: Revised English Language Edition

The majority of animal species are equipped with a highly developed sense of smell. The animal is guided by this sense of smell in accomplishing all its biological functions: to be warned of danger, to feed itself, to find a sexual partner or organize itself in hierarchal societies. This sense is more dull in the human species, who favor visual and audio-oral communication. Nevertheless, the sense of smell is not as insignificant as all that. For humans, olfactory perception is an integral part of the 'salt of life'. For us, odors are essentially either a matter of pleasure or displeasure. Because of their waste production, industrial communities are unfortunately at the origin of a certain number of odorous nuisances. How can they be prevented? How can they be fought? Such is the subject of this book in its various scientific, technilogical and regulatory aspects. It includes the most recent synthesis on physiological olfaction mechanisms, sensorial interactions of odorous mixtures, the measurement of odorous pollution levels and different physical, chemical and biological deodorization techniques.