ASTM E679-04

Overview

ASTM E679-04, the United States standard for the “determination of odour and taste threshold by a forced-choice ascending concentration series method of limits”, provides guidance on both olfactometry and sampling.

The ASTM E679-04 is the most commonly used standard in the USA for olfactometry, however, outside of USA standard EN13725 is more commonly accepted.

Differences between ASTM E679-04 and EN13725 is mostly on panellist screening and on minor details of olfactometry. One highly controversial difference is the presentation flow, which is set at only a minimum of 5 litres per minute in ASTM E679-04 and 20 litres per minute in EN13725. It is however technically possible to run at 20 litres per minute and still comply with the ASTM standard.