SensaMetrix

Pollution and Smell Loss

Long-term exposure to particulate matter (PM 2.5) air pollution doubles the risk of losing smell. The loss of smell is a condition known as anosmia that can severely impact a person’s quality of life. The loss of smell makes it extremely difficult to taste food, detect airborne hazards in the environment and carry out other functions that depend on the sense. People with anosmia may face weight problems, decreased social interaction, depression and anxiety. Long-term airborne exposure to PM2.5 increases the risk of losing your smell by nearly twice! Researchers believe that this may occur due to the location of the olfactory nerve, which contains the sensory nerve fibers relating to the sense of smell. Older people are especially vulnerable to this risk of losing smell due to air pollution.