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  • Writer's pictureHerbert Mack

What's That Smell? The Olfactory Epithelium System


The process of smell is complicated, however, every smell originates in the strip of tissue known as the olfactory epithelium. Odor, whether good or bad is a property of gases or chemical substances that are carried by the air and detected by olfactory system. We use air fresheners to freshen the air when smells are unfavorable. The problem with air fresheners is that they do not “freshen” the surrounding air, they either coat the nasal passages with an oily film or they release a nerve deadening agent that interferes with our olfactory epithelium or sense of smell. Granted there are times when fragranced air is needed, however, Air fresheners mask odor they do not eliminate. There are a multitude of effective air purification techniques available to reduce unfavorable indoor air contaminants in our homes. Activated charcoal is a natural solution as it is a type of carbon that has been processed to have an large porous surface area. The porous structure of activated bamboo charcoal allows for odorous gas molecules to move into an empty area of the pore where the odors are trapped and to stick to the wall of the charcoal. Activated charcoal can purify water, provide clean air or even reduce the harm of drug overdoses.

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