1997 MEETING MINUTES

1. Introduction: All attendees introduced themselves. Attendance list (from memory) is included. We apologize if we forgot anyone, but the sign-in sheet was left in Toronto. Mike Lannan recorded the notes of the meeting as Steve Ellis (Secretary) was not present.

2. Last year’s meeting minutes were approved.

3. Sub-committee reports were solicited:

1. Discussion of the motion passed during the 1996 committee meeting to urge ASTM-E.18 to adopt secondary butanol as an alternative intensity referencing standard revolved around the need for an expert toxicology review of Doug Anderson’s paper to validate the findings. Mike Ruby will contact toxicologists to determine their availability and willingness to review the findings. Martha O’Brien will supply Mike Ruby with a list of previous studies and toxicology reports which address the current use of n-butanol. A letter from John Amoore (Olfacto-Labs) regarding his research of this topic (proposed replacement of n-butanol with 2-butanol) was distributed. He volunteered a paper for the next annual meeting that review his data.

2. Alex Gnyp had a draft copy of the "Odor/Odour" paper that his "former" research students compiled. A discussion regarding electronic versus paper distribution ensued resulting in draft copies of his book of references being available from the Committee chair, Martha O’Brien. Martha kept the draft copy for review. She will obtain the compilation on disk and distribute it to those committee members who would like a copy.
   This document is available for download in the Current Activities section of this site.

3. The Guideline Document for Odor Sampling and Odor Measurement by Dynamic Dilution Olfactomtry has not had any changes in the past year. It currently exists in its "revised draft" form. The olfactometer flow rate specifications currently recommend a flow rate of 8 Liters/minute per sniffing cup. Subsequent research (O’Brien, Duffee, 1995) has further supported this showing that a flow rate between 5 lpm and 10 lpm with face velocities ranging from a minimum of 2.5 fpm to a maximum of 20 fpm will produce repeatable measurements most characteristic of odor perception in ambient air. Martha discussed odor chamber research that is offering new data to determine the effect of olfactometer flow rate in determining odor thresholds as compared to odor thresholds obtained with whole body exposure in environmental chambers which will provide more useful data. Chuck McGinley’s presentation at the Water Environment Federation (WEF) Conference in Houston, April 1997 discussed a proposal to conduct an inter-laboratory study on olfactometer flow rate criteria. Committee members expressed their interest in reviewing the study’s protocol (Standardization Sub-Committee) and participation (O’Brien, Cha, etc.). Chuck said he welcomed both comments by the EE-6 Standardization Sub-Committee on the proposed study design and protocol as well as participation of as many qualifying laboratories as possible.

4. NEW BUSINESS:

1. The planned changes in the technical program were discussed in great detail. A motion was made to recommend to the technical committee that Odors be included as a separate topic group. Odors are not properly represented in any of the proposed headings. The committee is concerned that papers will not be submitted because the topics are not directly related to odors. The committee understands the technical committee’s need to limit sessions to eliminate sparsely attended sessions, but all Odor Committee sessions continue to be "standing room only" and there is a continued desire for more papers.

2. Attached is a letter submitted by Martha O’Brien (on behalf of the EE-6 Committee) to the Technical Committee who is ultimately responsible for coming up with the list of topics for the 1998 San Diego meeting. A copy of subsequent correspondence is also attached. Basically, as you’ve no doubt seen in the "Call for Papers", there are 3 odor-related topics (still grouped with "noise"?). The amount quality papers submitted on odor topics will determine the final topics – So, if you haven’t done so already, please get your abstracts in by September 23, 1997.

3. A motion was passed for the Odor Committee to investigate co-sponsoring an odor specialty conference with the Water Environment Federation (WEF) Air Toxics Committee. WEF Air Toxics Committee Chair Larry Leong was present and endorsed the motion. It was the consensus of the committee that this was a good idea (i.e. increased audience, number of papers, quality of papers, assisted funding, etc.). Larry will take the lead on behalf of WEF to investigate the possibility with A&WMA headquarters. If this co-sponsored odor conference does come to be, Melba Hensel expressed interest in taking the lead as coordinator (she is a member of both committees). A&WMA Odor Specialty Conferences have recently been held every 5 years (1989, 1995). WEF’s are every 3 years with the next one scheduled in 2000. Subsequent discussion resulted in possibly including "indoor air odors" (not a hot topic at the 1995 A&WMA Odor Specialty Conference) and "VOC’s" which are normally featured at the WEF Odor Conferences.

4. There was discussion on how to encourage regulators to attend. A subcommittee to involve EPA/regulators with odor issues was established. Committee members include Mike Ruby, Tom Mahin, Martha O’Brien, Phyllis Diosey, and Gregory Leonardos. The members will contact John Walker in Washington and Marty Klevs at EPA Region V.

5. At the annual A&WMA section meeting in Quebec October 20-22, 1997 odor will be the featured topic.

6. Re: updating Odor Committee Member mailing lists:

Mike Ruby discussed the formation of a list server over the internet for discussion. There was interest and a list of member’s e-mail addresses needs to be established. Mike will take the lead on this and set up the server. Further information on this will be forthcoming. This will allow for more activity and interaction between members of our subcommittees.

7. Mike Lannan was elected Vice-Chair of the EE-6 Odor committee and Martha O’Brien was elected secretary. These assignments will begin at the 1998 Annual Meeting in San Diego. Ron Poustchi will replace Martha O’Brien as Chairman of the Odor Committee at this time.

5. The meeting was adjourned at approximately 1:00PM.

Respectfully submitted,

Mike Lannan
Vice-Chair Elect &

Martha O’Brien
Chairman

9 September 1997

1997
EE-6 Odor Committee
Meeting Attendee List
Toronto, ON, Canada

This list was produced form memory in
Sept 1997 since the original sign-in sheet was lost.

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