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Odor thresholds in the headspace over aqueous solutions of diacetyl (butane‐2,3‐dione) were measured in quadruplicate by a forced‐choice procedure in 53 individuals. Mean individual thresholds varied over a factor of 256, with the group average at .005 μg/ml. Thresholds showed a modest negative correlation with suprathreshold intensity ratings. Intensity ratings were distributed bimodally, consistent with the existence of insensitive and sensitive groups and suggesting the possibility of a specific anosmia for this compound.
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Lawless et al. (1994) studied this question.
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