gms | German Medical Science

76th Annual Meeting of the German Society of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology, Head and Neck Surgery

German Society of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology, Head and Neck Surgery

04.05. - 08.05.2005, Erfurt

Kinetics of N-butanol release from the tip of Sniffin' Sticks

Meeting Abstract

  • corresponding author Ernst J. Haberland - University of Halle, Dept. of ENT and HNS
  • Angelika Kraus - University of Halle, Dept. of Analytical and Environmental Chemistry
  • Kurt Pilchowski - University of Halle, Dept. of Analytical and Environmental Chemistry
  • Hilmar Gudziol - University of Jena, ENT Dept.
  • Wilhelm Lorenz - University of Halle, Dept. of Analytical and Environmental Chemistry
  • Marc Bloching - University of Halle, Dept. of ENT and HNS

Deutsche Gesellschaft für Hals-Nasen-Ohren-Heilkunde, Kopf- und Hals-Chirurgie. 76. Jahresversammlung der Deutschen Gesellschaft für Hals-Nasen-Ohren-Heilkunde, Kopf- und Hals-Chirurgie e.V.. Erfurt, 04.-08.05.2005. Düsseldorf, Köln: German Medical Science; 2005. Doc05hno486

The electronic version of this article is the complete one and can be found online at: http://www.egms.de/en/meetings/hno2005/05hno141.shtml

Published: September 22, 2005

© 2005 Haberland et al.
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Outline

Text

In the detection threshold test the Sniffin' Sticks are filled with n-butanol solution in various concentrations. The water dissolved n-butanol is stored in an absorbent cartridge inside of the stick body which is in diffusion contact with the fiberglass tip. Diffusion of n-butanol from the cartridge into the tip stops when the steam pressure in the cap volume ("headspace") is in balance with fluid. The life span of a Sniffin’ Stick is limited because of evaporation of odor during frequent use and inevitable leaks. This decreases the quantity of odor in the cartridge in the course of months.

Two questions were investigated experimentally: Which types of models describe (1) the short-term and (2) the long-term release of odorous substance in Sniffin´Sticks? The measuring arrangement consisted of a measuring cell with the stick and a sensitive gaschromatographic device. n-butanol concentrations in the measuring cell were detected cumulatively after equal time steps as well as sequentially after stepwise increasing exposition times of the tip, measuring and following rinsing with dry nitrogen .

The approximation of the test series were made with models of exponential functions. Two mechanisms influence the release. Within ten seconds, the amount of n-butanol accumulated in the tip of the sniffin´stick evaporates. Afterwards the diffusion from the cartridge inside the stick body becomes important for the amount of further evaporation at the tip. On the other hand this depends on the quantity of n-Butanol inside the sniffin´stick. The decreased intensity of odor during the use of sniffin´sticks which was noticed by test persons can also be verified by our objective measurements.

This method allows an objective control of the odor intensity of used n-butanol Sniffin’ Sticks .

The measurements give answer about the duration of constant odor concentration of the sniffin´sticks and indicate, when a replacement because of decreased intensity by new ones is necessary. For determination of high grade hyposmia and development of odor more intensive Sniffin' Sticks might be useful.