FIRE FIGHTERS' SENSE OF SMELL STINKS

FIRE FIGHTERS' SENSE OF SMELL STINKS

CHICAGO, Ill. (Wireless Flash) -- If a new study is correct, being a firefighter can really stink up your sense of smell. The problem is toxic chemicals emitted by fires which can damage a firefighter's sense of smell. When researchers tested firefighters, they discovered about half of them had such severe damage to their sniffers that they confused the smell of smoke with the smell of bubble gum -- or they thought the odor of natural gas was harmless perfume. Dr. Alan Hirsch, a smell and taste expert, says his findings suggest cities might want to give firefighters annual "smell tests" and limit the number of fires a person can fight.