What is smell?
Odors in the environment
Article REF: G2900 V1
What is smell?
Odors in the environment

Authors : Christian ROGNON, Lionel POURTIER

Publication date: October 10, 2000 | Lire en français

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1. What is smell?

An odor is a sensation resulting from the stimulation of the olfactory system by chemical substances. The appreciation of this sensation is often highly variable.

Example

the French don't particularly appreciate the smell of tar, whereas in shampoos, they associate its pungent character with an efficacy factor. Cloves are widely used in Northern Europe and the United States, including in chewing gum. In France, on the other hand, its scent is less appreciated, as it evokes dental care. Similarly, the durian is an exotic fruit with a fecal odor, inedible to Westerners yet much appreciated by Asians.

Olfactory sensation can also vary according to the characteristics of the odorant itself.

Example

Eugenol is a chemical known for...

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