When someone suffers from anosmia, he or she is unable to smell the odorant used to odorize natural gas. A hyposmia sufferer may also be unable to detect the gas. With both medical conditions, a dangerous situation would present itself if there was ever a natural gas leak.

Anosmia or Hyposmia Smell Disorders

Unfortunately, not everyone has an ordinary sense of smell. While some people may have a diminished sense (hyposmia), others are unable to smell at all (anosmia). Some studies have suggested on average 1-2 % of North Americans have impaired smell. Causes of reduced olfactory perception range from aging, allergies, viral infections attacking the olfactory nerve, medications, hormones, diseases, and other conditions, though some people are born with no sense of smell (congenital anosmia). Continue reading