With the Covid-19, It is remarkable to see how olfaction and smells have become daily topics of conversation. Willingly or unwillingly, this focus on our perception reminds us of its paramount importance in our daily lives and for our well-being. If air quality is a main issue today, but also cleverly designed scent-marketing, olfactory issues are more important than ever, especially for the development of an ecologically and politically healthy society towards the most vulnerable.
The olfactory environment can be considered at very different scales, be it at the level of the body, objects, interiors or air quality itself. Whether it is thinking about smell through people as transmitters or receivers, developing 'Healing Buildings', creating good air via sanitation, neutralisation and deodorisation rather than scenting, the acknowledgement of an ‘old people smell’, allergenic air fresheners or scented hygiene products, the complexity and prevalence of the smell issue requires a reading key.
The preliminary work of the Trend Report thus opens up a number of aspects to be considered in the future development of innovative and conclusive approaches - be it in the form of prototypes or guidelines for oHealth.