Does this article stink? Or more precisely, does this page have an odor to it? Put it close to your nose and take a deep sniff. Smell anything? Most vapors and gases, including solid materials that may have some volatile fraction, such as this magazine's pages, have an odor. Modern man doesn't tend to link survival with odors. But smell was early humans' most important sense. It drew mates to each other, helped humans avoid predators, and allowed them to detect suitable food. Survival back then depended on a keen sense of smell. So does survival in the modern workplace. Consider the role odors play in injury and illness prevention: A whiff of smoke may alert us to a fire; smelling a solvent through a respirator may tell us the equipment is ineffective. We are also obligated by OSHA regulations, such as hazard communication, to train employees to detect the release of hazardous chemicals by detecting odors.
Train your mind, not your nose: Most odors are perceived at an unconscious level. Musicians do not necessarily hear more music but are more conscious of the content of what is heard. They train their minds, not their ears.