A STUDY

has, for the first time, linked a poor sense of smell with exposure to pesticides.

Michigan State University researchers followed up on more than 11,000 farmers for 20 years and found those who had spilt large quantities of pesticides on their body were 50 per cent more likely to have an impaired or complete loss of smell. It’s thought pesticides may damage the lining of the nasal cavity.

Researchers, writing in Environmental Health Perspectives, said those with a poor sense of smell are more likely to die early, so a better understanding of the causes is vital.