title: Odor thresholds and breathing changes of human volunteers as consequences of sulphur dioxide exposure considering individual factors.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Though sulfur dioxide (SO(2)) is used widely at workplaces, itseffects on humans are not known. Thresholds are reported without reference to gender or age and occupational exposure limits are basedon effects on lung functioning,although localized effects in the upper airways can be expected.This study's aim is to determine thresholds with respect to age and gender and suggests a new approach to risk assessment using breathing reflexes presumably triggered by trigeminal receptors in the upper airways.
  
  
  METHODS
  Odor thresholds were determined by the ascending method of limits in groups stratified by age and gender.Subjects rated intensities of different olfactory and trigeminal perceptions at different concentrations of SO(2). During the presentation of the concentrations, breathing movements were measured by respiratory inductive plethysmography.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Neither age nor gender effects were observed for odor threshold. Only ratings of nasal irritation were influenced bygender. A benchmark dose analysis on relative respiratory depth revealed a 10%-deviation from baseline at about 25.27 mg/m(3).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The proposed new approach to risk assessment appearsto be sustainable. We discuss whether a 10%-deviation of breathingdepth is relevant.
authors.affiliation: Leibniz Research Center for Working Environment and Human Factors, Dortmund, Germany.
authors.forename: Stefan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kleinbeck
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Schäper
authors.forename: Stephanie A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Juran
authors.forename: Ernst
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Kiesswetter
authors.forename: Meinolf
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Blaszkewicz
authors.forename: Klaus
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Golka
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Zimmermann
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Brüning
authors.forename: Christoph
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Van Thriel