Dangers of smell impairment highlighted in new research

Important new research undertaken by Fifth Sense and the University of East Anglia has highlighted the significant safety implications of living with a poor, altered or no sense of smell.

The paper is based on the findings of an online survey conducted by Fifth Sense which captured the safety concerns of people affected by smell dysfunction. It also asked for details of gas and food-related safety incidents people have been exposed to at home and work.

Duncan Boak, CEO of Fifth Sense, said: “This research highlights an important, yet unrecognised, public health issue with serious safety implications. Yet there is a lack of treatment options for these sensory impairments and only a handful of specialist smell and taste clinics in England, with none in Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland.

“Another issue is that we don’t routinely test the sense of smell which means that these problems often get missed with people not getting the care they need, or support and information to help them stay safe at home. I hope that our research serves as a prompt for policymakers and the NHS to start working with us to address what is a major health inequality.”

Notably, the paper states that 34% of people with a smell disorder have had at least one gas scare at home in the last five years.

Fifth Sense is working in partnership with Cadent, the UK’s largest gas distribution network, to highlight this issue and ensure that people with a poor, altered or no sense of smell have the information and support they need to stay safe and well at home.

Mark Belmega, Director of Social Purpose and Sustainability at Cadent, said: “It’s really important that we help keep those with anosmia and other smell disorders, safe around gas.

“We know cases have increased following the Covid-19 pandemic and so we’re proud to work in collaboration with Fifth Sense to amplify key gas safety tips, including regularly servicing gas appliances, joining the Priority Services Register and getting gas and CO detectors fitted at home.”

Over 400 people completed the survey, with further results showing:

• 85.9% of respondents cited safety concerns, and gas, smoke, and food are major concerns
• The leading causes of dysfunction are:
  • 22% – Covid-19
  • 20.8% – Idiopathic (patients in whom after extensive testing no cause for the loss of sense of smell is found)
  • 14.4% – Congenital (the inability to smell since birth)

The study also highlighted the significant impact of smell loss on emotional wellbeing, which Fifth Sense assists with through regular support groups, website resources, community hubs and more. The paper also recommends routine olfactory assessments to identify at-risk people and provide an opportunity for preventative measures to be put in place to keep people safe.

Fifth Sense will use the findings in ongoing campaigns to raise awareness of the impact of smell impairment on safety and wellbeing, advocate for improved support and guidance for those affected, and campaign for better recognition and testing.

Fifth Sense thanks everyone who completed the survey. You can read more about the study.