Inclusion considerations

Inclusion considerations 1 min

Fragrance sensitivities 1 min

Research suggests that anywhere from 10% to 30% of the population experiences notable fragrance sensitivities¹⁰⁷, which include strong aversions to synthetic scents and can induce headaches or even respiratory discomfort. Note that the bread smell that some sandwich shops pipe into the air in front of their shops can be off-putting or even nauseating to these individuals. It is considered good practice to provide clear warnings, ensure good ventilation and offer scent-free alternatives or zones.

Impaired sense of smell 1 min

At the other end of the spectrum, some people have an impaired sense of smell and the likelihood of experiencing this seems to increase with age¹⁰⁸. For example, one study found that 24.5% of those older than 53 had an impaired sense of smell, compared to around 1.4% in the general population¹⁰⁹.