Forget traditional jobs—Italy’s Brendola is offering paid gigs to those who can stomach bad smells. The town’s mayor has launched a campaign to hire six professional ‘smell assessors’ amid rising complaints from residents near the industrial district.
Applicants must pass a scent-detection exam, proving they can distinguish factory fumes from sewage stink without health hindrances. No asthma, no allergies, and must own a vehicle plus a smartphone for the odor-tracking app. Training comes from a firm specializing in sensory evaluations, turning civilians into pollution detectives.
Mayor Bruno Beltrame revealed the initiative stems from years of odor woes. ‘A previous probe five years back nailed the polluters,’ he said. ‘Today, we’re widening the net across a broader geographical area to catch repeat offenders or new ones.’ Nestled in Vicenza’s Po Valley—a pollution hotspot stretching from Piedmont to Emilia-Romagna—Brendola’s 4,000 residents are rallying for cleaner environs.
Statewide protocols enforce strict standards, with hefty penalties for violators. Beltrame highlighted the community’s shift: ‘They used to be lax, but now they report every whiff of trouble, letting us intervene fast.’ After a slow start, renewed social media outreach has applications pouring in, signaling hope for fresher air.