Odor identification by name and by edibility: life-span development and safety

Area of Science:

• Olfactory perception
• Human sensory science
• Aging research

Background:

• Odor identification is crucial for safety, distinguishing edible from harmful substances.
• Age-related changes in olfactory function are not fully understood across the lifespan.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate age-related changes in odor identification and discrimination.
• To assess the impact of product scenting on safety, particularly for children.

Main Methods:

• Tested odor identification of 17 everyday products across age groups (childhood to elderly).
• Administered odor discrimination tasks to adults.
• Evaluated identification accuracy based on edibility and product type.

Main Results:

• Odor identification performance showed an inverted U-shaped curve, peaking in young adults.
• Adults exhibited age-related declines in both odor naming and discrimination.
• Edibility identification was significantly better than naming, especially for dangerous products in children (79% vs. 15%).
• Scented bleach increased errors in identifying causticity compared to unscented versions.

Conclusions:

• Olfactory abilities supporting safety change significantly across the lifespan.
• Product scenting can create safety risks by masking inherent product properties.
• Manufacturers should consider scent modifications' impact on discriminability and safety, especially for hazardous items.