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Abstract
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From the book, on the subject of olfactory fatigue:
Chapter 28 - Otolaryngologic Principles - by William K. Chiang - p.420
Olfactory fatigue is the process of olfactory adaptation following exposure to a stimulus for a variable period of time. This leads to a temporal diminution of the smell. Unfortunately, this adaptation may lead to a false sense of security with continued exposure to a toxin. For example, hydrogen sulfide [...] is readily detectable as a distinct and offensive substance at the very low concentration of 0.025 ppm. At the higher and potentially toxic concentration of 50 ppm, the odor is less offensive, and recognition may disappear after 2-15 minutes of exposure. At an even higher concentration, when toxicity is likely, the onset of olfactory fatigue is even more rapid. The combination of rapid onset of olfactory fatigue and toxicity at high concentrations of hydrogen sulfide exposure has contributed to numerous fatalities. |