ASTM E1432-04

Sensory thresholds are used to determine the potential of substances at low concentrations to impart odor, taste, skinfeel, etc. to some form of matter.

Thresholds are used, for example, in setting limits in air pollution, in noise abatement, in water treatment, and in food systems.

Thresholds are used to characterize and compare the sensitivity of individuals or groups to given stimuli, for example, in medicine, ethnic studies, and the study of animal species.

1.1 The definitions and procedures of this practice apply to the calculation of individual thresholds for any stimulus in any medium, from data sets of intermediate size, that is, consisting of more than 20 to 40 3-AFC presentations per individual. A group threshold may be calculated using 5 to 15 individual thresholds.

1.2 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.