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CRMs for Testing Odor Compounds in Drinking Water

October 22nd, 2025

Odor-causing chemicals are a group of compounds that can produce unpleasant smells in drinking water, even at trace-level concentrations. While many of these compounds may not pose significant health risks, accurate testing is essential to ensure high water quality and to enable early detection of contamination from sources such as sewage or industrial discharge.

Standard Method 6040D - Odor Compounds in Drinking Water

Standard Method 6040D targets 19 organic compounds known to cause taste and odor issues such as geosmin, 2-methylisoborneol (2-MIB), and certain methoxypyrazines. The method uses Solid-Phase Microextraction (SPME) coupled with Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry (GC/MS) to detect these compounds at very low-level concentrations.

While some compounds like geosmin and 2-MIB occur naturally and often linked to algal blooms, others may result from industrial pollution or sewage contamination. Even if water meets all safety standards, unpleasant odors can lead to public complaints, reduced trust, and the perception that the water is unsafe.

The use of high-quality certified reference materials (CRMs) for odor-causing compounds is essential for the reliable testing of these compounds, which is critical for developing effective water treatment methods and response procedures.

Reference Standards for Odor Compounds

To support water quality monitoring and help maintain consumer confidence, AccuStandard has developed a comprehensive range of taste and odor standards designed for the use with Standard Method 6040D and other analytical methods. These standards enable laboratories and water treatment facilities to accurately detect and quantify odor-causing compounds in drinking water.

  1. ODOR-01S
    (+/-) Geosmin
    2 µg/mL in PT Methanol
    Single
  2. ODOR-02S
    2-Methylisoborneol (2-MIB)
    2 µg/mL in PT Methanol
    Single
  3. NEW! ODOR-08S
    cis-3-Hexenyl acetate
    100 µg/mL in PT Methanol
    Single
  4. NEW! ODOR-09S
    cis-3-Hexen-1-ol
    100 µg/mL in PT Methanol
    Single
  5. ODOR-15S-10ML
    2,4,6-Trichloroanisole
    1000 µg/mL in Methanol
    Single
  6. ODOR-16S-10ML
    2-Isopropyl-3-methoxypyrazine
    1000 µg/mL in Methanol
    Single
  7. ODOR-17S-10ML
    2-Isobutyl-3-methoxypyrazine
    1000 µg/mL in Methanol
    Single
  8. NEW! ODOR-20S
    2,6-nonadienal (2,6-ND)
    100 µg/mL in PT Methanol
    Single
  9. NEW! ODOR-21S
    b-Cyclocitral
    100 µg/mL in PT Methanol
    Single
  10. NEW! ODOR-22S
    Dimethyl disulfide
    100 µg/mL in PT Methanol
    Single
  11. NEW! ODOR-24S
    Hexanal
    100 µg/mL in PT Methanol
    Single
  12. NEW! ODOR-25S
    Dimethyl trisulfide (DMTS)
    100 µg/mL in PT Methanol
    Single
  13. NEW! ODOR-26S
    Indole
    100 µg/mL in PT Methanol
    Single
  14. NEW! ODOR-27S
    2,3,6-Trichloroanisole
    100 µg/mL in PT Methanol
    Single
  15. NEW! ODOR-28S
    2,4,6-Tribromoanisole
    100 µg/mL in PT Methanol
    Single
  16. NEW! ODOR-29S
    Methyl sulfide
    100 µg/mL in PT Methanol
    Single
  17. NEW! ODOR-30S
    Octanal
    100 µg/mL in PT Methanol
    Single
  18. NEW! ODOR-31S
    b-Ionone
    100 µg/mL in PT Methanol
    Single
  19. ODOR-JDWOS
    Japan Drinking Water Odor Standard
    100 µg/mL in PT Methanol
    2 comps.

Need Assistance with Odor Standards?

To find additional Odor Reference Standards, you can shop our full selection here.

 

If you still don’t see what you are looking for, reach out to techservice@accustandard.com and we can make a recommendation or create a custom product for you.

 
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