A recent breakthrough in electronic nose technology enables applying these devices for mass market applications. Now, it is feasible to manufacture compact, low-power, low-cost robust electronic noses without the need for chemical calibrating individual devices.
Several application areas are being developed ranging from applications in medicine (tuberculosis, cancer, asthma, COPD detection by breath analysis, and pathogen detection in blood and urine) to gas detection and identification for e.g. personal protection, scorch detection or guarding spaces.
In this paper, it is proposed to apply electronic nose technology for monitoring cabin air quality in aircraft. A configuration for implementing this is discussed. As the hardware and know-how for developing a dedicated air monitoring system are available, it would require a limited effort to realize such an early warning system.