Jonas Neilson, Alpha Aromatics12.01.23
The definition, function and understanding of odor-control technology is very straight forward and nowhere near as complicated as one might expect. It involves a chemical, physical reaction known as adsorption, which establishes a bonding between ions, atoms or molecular substances with the malodorous particles in the air.
The process occurs specifically when these particles adhere to the surfaces of solid materials. Absorption, on the other hand, occurs only when a fluid permeates the entire volume of a specific substance.
Laboratory settings are the seat of progress and cutting edge innovation when it comes to malodors and the correct balance of scent and neutralizing additive that is needed to destroy them. Odor can be a serious issue affecting homes, businesses, human health and ambient air care quality.
There are many chemical companies that offer solutions, but buyer beware. While they may all mean well and do serve to control odor to some degree in one way or another, odor-suppressant technologies are highly complex and certain additives are better suited for different sources of odors than others.
By some standards, a stench may well be just a stench, but every situation involving malodors is unique and demands a specific treatment solution.
This process is vital to determining a proper course of action, which always entails a detailed agenda laser-focused on odor displacement and/or control. Any chosen approach demands specific strategies and tools, which can result in the application of a combination of vapor phase, scrubbing and fogging techniques.
It should be noted that the detection of odors can sometimes be very difficult because they can be either constant or intermittent and they can arise from unseen sources. Also, not all odors have a particular smell and the human nose over time has become immune to water, natural gas and ambient air gases. Odor detection is intrinsically connected to human perception concerning aesthetics and emotions and as such, its subjectivity has given way to a certain degree to more objective evaluation tools.
Read More: The Drawbacks of Masking Odors Vs Neutralizing with Metazene
Odor control and freshness are two concepts that are vital to the lives of modern consumers. Both are indispensable for fragrances that are specifically designed to manage various malodors both in the home and in commercial and industrial spaces of all kinds. While the terms, air freshener and odor deodorizer, are often used interchangeably and their ultimate purpose is much the same, they are two vastly different entities.
The major divide between the two concerns the fact that air fresheners can provide only the temporary masking of a particular recurring malodor and odor neutralizers kill them. Many in the know argue that air fresheners do not clean the air at all—they insist that the fragrances they add to the air in some cases can be harmful to human health and well-being. Issues concerning air fresheners include vague descriptions on their labels which often read: “green,” organic” or “natural” because, unfortunately, none of these terms are government regulated or even clearly defined with each and every ingredient specifically delineated.
Some odor neutralizers are better than others and their power heavily depends upon the potency of their enzymes or biocides to create impactful microbial action. What is needed is an odor neutralizer that chemically alters the structure of the malodorous particles and merges with them, causing their eventual evaporation.
Finding the right odor neutralizer for a specific environment means doing one’s homework by taking time to comprehensively research all possibilities to discover the most suitable solution to a particular business model.
Even among odor suppressants, some are still better than others. Many contain water and perfume and rely upon on the potency of enzymes to create a microbial action that, in the end, have no affect at all on vaporous malodors. An effective odor eliminator must filter even the tiniest of particles and the size of the unit needed will depend entirely upon the particular capacity of the intended space.
The frequency of required air cycles is also a factor. Larger units are necessary where malodors thrive throughout a building or site such as industrial spaces; landfills and waste collection facilities. In the end, the choice must include an odor suppressant that is vapor phased.
Vapor phase technology works by creating a vacuum and drawing malodors out of the air and into the unit, which removes contaminants. In their place, fresh air is dispersed throughout the ambient air. In diluted form, this chemically stable, scientifically developed, deodorizing concentrate successfully neutralizes foul odors in the vapor phase. It disperses a fine mist throughout the atmosphere.
Available in both oil- and water-soluble varieties, research has supported its efficiency in completely eliminating cooking, smoking and other malodors. This additive is unique because it is the only one of its kind that possesses deodorant qualities. It has myriad applications that include, but are not limited to: aerosols, air-fresheners, non-aerosol pump sprays, passive air-fresheners, wicks, candles, plastic, gels and plug-ins.
This suppressant is also an important additive in portable toilet odor control, as well as household, and industrial and institutional products.
A surfactant is a substance that when added to a liquid, such a detergent, reduces surface tension and increases wetting aspects. While soybeans might not seem likely candidates for such a function, they are indeed. They naturally create a multi-surface, water-soluble natural compound that both destroys many malodors and provides the reduction of the surface tension of a dissolved liquid in a multitude of laundry care, skincare and cosmetics, personal care and household cleaning formulations.
The blending of certain neutralizing additives creates a force that reduces foul odors via both vapor phase and direct contact. There is only one product of this kind available and it is comprised of mostly natural ingredients.
Some applications include: air fresheners, pet odor products, fabric care, wastewater treatment and cleaning products.
This castor seed-derived neutralizer concerns a series of five surface active applications. These include topical use for personal care and cosmetic products, laundry care, industrial fogging, air fresheners, aerosols and water-soluble paints, resin solvent-based formulations, and cleansers. Castor seed is also a stabilizer for clear water soluble compositions.
Ultimately, this water soluble formula can stand alone as a powerful odor neutralizer.
Studies have confirmed many times that brands that deliver odor removal and protection are vital to consumer loyalty and satisfaction.
Science and technology, particularly advanced molecular engineering, have transformed the market by harnessing ingredients that both counteract malodors and, at the same time, provide sensory pleasure with scents that transform the shopping experience.
Alpha Aromatics is a leading fragrance and aroma chemical manufacturer based in the United States. With decades of experience, it creates and supplies odor neutralizing additives and high-quality fragrances for a wide range of products, including personal care, household and industrial goods. Its innovative and customized scent solutions cater to diverse industries, enhancing brand identity and customer experiences.
https://www.evoqua.com/en/articles/solving-odor-vapor-phase/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18220049/
https://portal.ct.gov/-/media/Departments-and-Agencies/DPH/dph/environmental_health/eoha/pdf/AirFreshenerFSpdf.pdf
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3231359/
https://byers-scientific.com/the-science-of-odor/
https://cleanfax.com/the-advancement-of-odor-control-chemistry/
https://www.alphaaromatics.com/blog/odor-control-additives-and-scented-products/
https://www.firmenich.com/fragrance/innovation/technology-solutions/malodor-control
The process occurs specifically when these particles adhere to the surfaces of solid materials. Absorption, on the other hand, occurs only when a fluid permeates the entire volume of a specific substance.
How Does Odor Control Work?
In simplest terms, malodorous particles are forced through the ambient air via a diffuser and are evenly dispersed throughout a specific location. The chemical structures of foul-smelling compounds can be altered and made less offensive via neutralization with other substances, or they can be removed thanks to the wizardry of modern science.Laboratory settings are the seat of progress and cutting edge innovation when it comes to malodors and the correct balance of scent and neutralizing additive that is needed to destroy them. Odor can be a serious issue affecting homes, businesses, human health and ambient air care quality.
There are many chemical companies that offer solutions, but buyer beware. While they may all mean well and do serve to control odor to some degree in one way or another, odor-suppressant technologies are highly complex and certain additives are better suited for different sources of odors than others.
By some standards, a stench may well be just a stench, but every situation involving malodors is unique and demands a specific treatment solution.
Determining the Cause of Malodors
Not all malodors have the same strength or arise from the same sources. State-of-the-art advancements in both science and technology provide the first steps needed to measure, discover and identify the origin or origins of foul smells. These can be few or many in number and can include: bacteria from spoiled food; fungus arising from mold and mildew and volatile organic compounds (VOC).This process is vital to determining a proper course of action, which always entails a detailed agenda laser-focused on odor displacement and/or control. Any chosen approach demands specific strategies and tools, which can result in the application of a combination of vapor phase, scrubbing and fogging techniques.
It should be noted that the detection of odors can sometimes be very difficult because they can be either constant or intermittent and they can arise from unseen sources. Also, not all odors have a particular smell and the human nose over time has become immune to water, natural gas and ambient air gases. Odor detection is intrinsically connected to human perception concerning aesthetics and emotions and as such, its subjectivity has given way to a certain degree to more objective evaluation tools.
Read More: The Drawbacks of Masking Odors Vs Neutralizing with Metazene
Air Fresheners Versus Odor Neutralizers
Odor control and freshness are two concepts that are vital to the lives of modern consumers. Both are indispensable for fragrances that are specifically designed to manage various malodors both in the home and in commercial and industrial spaces of all kinds. While the terms, air freshener and odor deodorizer, are often used interchangeably and their ultimate purpose is much the same, they are two vastly different entities.
The major divide between the two concerns the fact that air fresheners can provide only the temporary masking of a particular recurring malodor and odor neutralizers kill them. Many in the know argue that air fresheners do not clean the air at all—they insist that the fragrances they add to the air in some cases can be harmful to human health and well-being. Issues concerning air fresheners include vague descriptions on their labels which often read: “green,” organic” or “natural” because, unfortunately, none of these terms are government regulated or even clearly defined with each and every ingredient specifically delineated.
Some odor neutralizers are better than others and their power heavily depends upon the potency of their enzymes or biocides to create impactful microbial action. What is needed is an odor neutralizer that chemically alters the structure of the malodorous particles and merges with them, causing their eventual evaporation.
Finding the right odor neutralizer for a specific environment means doing one’s homework by taking time to comprehensively research all possibilities to discover the most suitable solution to a particular business model.
Considerations for Selecting Effective Odor Neutralizers
Even among odor suppressants, some are still better than others. Many contain water and perfume and rely upon on the potency of enzymes to create a microbial action that, in the end, have no affect at all on vaporous malodors. An effective odor eliminator must filter even the tiniest of particles and the size of the unit needed will depend entirely upon the particular capacity of the intended space.
The frequency of required air cycles is also a factor. Larger units are necessary where malodors thrive throughout a building or site such as industrial spaces; landfills and waste collection facilities. In the end, the choice must include an odor suppressant that is vapor phased.
The Vapor Phase Suppressant
Vapor phase technology works by creating a vacuum and drawing malodors out of the air and into the unit, which removes contaminants. In their place, fresh air is dispersed throughout the ambient air. In diluted form, this chemically stable, scientifically developed, deodorizing concentrate successfully neutralizes foul odors in the vapor phase. It disperses a fine mist throughout the atmosphere.
Available in both oil- and water-soluble varieties, research has supported its efficiency in completely eliminating cooking, smoking and other malodors. This additive is unique because it is the only one of its kind that possesses deodorant qualities. It has myriad applications that include, but are not limited to: aerosols, air-fresheners, non-aerosol pump sprays, passive air-fresheners, wicks, candles, plastic, gels and plug-ins.
This suppressant is also an important additive in portable toilet odor control, as well as household, and industrial and institutional products.
Soybean-Based Surfactant
A surfactant is a substance that when added to a liquid, such a detergent, reduces surface tension and increases wetting aspects. While soybeans might not seem likely candidates for such a function, they are indeed. They naturally create a multi-surface, water-soluble natural compound that both destroys many malodors and provides the reduction of the surface tension of a dissolved liquid in a multitude of laundry care, skincare and cosmetics, personal care and household cleaning formulations.
A Dual Action Additive
The blending of certain neutralizing additives creates a force that reduces foul odors via both vapor phase and direct contact. There is only one product of this kind available and it is comprised of mostly natural ingredients.
Some applications include: air fresheners, pet odor products, fabric care, wastewater treatment and cleaning products.
Castor Seed Solutions
This castor seed-derived neutralizer concerns a series of five surface active applications. These include topical use for personal care and cosmetic products, laundry care, industrial fogging, air fresheners, aerosols and water-soluble paints, resin solvent-based formulations, and cleansers. Castor seed is also a stabilizer for clear water soluble compositions.
Ultimately, this water soluble formula can stand alone as a powerful odor neutralizer.
Odor Neutralizers In The Fragrance and Personal Care Market
Studies have confirmed many times that brands that deliver odor removal and protection are vital to consumer loyalty and satisfaction.
Science and technology, particularly advanced molecular engineering, have transformed the market by harnessing ingredients that both counteract malodors and, at the same time, provide sensory pleasure with scents that transform the shopping experience.
About Alpha Aromatics
Alpha Aromatics is a leading fragrance and aroma chemical manufacturer based in the United States. With decades of experience, it creates and supplies odor neutralizing additives and high-quality fragrances for a wide range of products, including personal care, household and industrial goods. Its innovative and customized scent solutions cater to diverse industries, enhancing brand identity and customer experiences.
Sources:
https://www.evoqua.com/en/articles/solving-odor-vapor-phase/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18220049/
https://portal.ct.gov/-/media/Departments-and-Agencies/DPH/dph/environmental_health/eoha/pdf/AirFreshenerFSpdf.pdf
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3231359/
https://byers-scientific.com/the-science-of-odor/
https://cleanfax.com/the-advancement-of-odor-control-chemistry/
https://www.alphaaromatics.com/blog/odor-control-additives-and-scented-products/
https://www.firmenich.com/fragrance/innovation/technology-solutions/malodor-control