Olfactory panel – EstaMINez

EstaMINez is a group of 7 female sensory evaluators trained for the objectivized evaluation of odors relating to indoor environments. They were initially trained in September based on Langage des Nez® ( “Nose Language”), a tool dedicated to description of environmental odors.

Langage des Nez® is based on a chemical frame of reference. Its learning enables the acquisition of a collective language that can therefore be shared. Accurate, objective and repeatable description between individuals becomes possible. Description is based on references, memorized and learned in common, without relying on the use of evocative terms. Learning consists of memorization of the odor generated by olfaction of a pure molecule; description consists of matching this new perceived odor with one or several references. If several olfactory notes are perceived, then the panel is capable of ranking the contribution of each note to the overall odor.

EstaMINez apply their expertise in the evaluation of odors from construction materials, automotive materials, polymer materials, as well as their overall olfactory atmospheres sampled in indoor environments. The panel provides an olfactory description of the odorous nature according to the Langage des Nez® frame of reference and an estimate of olfactory intensity according to a standardized butanol scale. The description method can be combined with the deployment of an instrumental methodology (gas chromatography).