The small town of Brendola in Italy is looking to hire six individuals for a unique role as scent evaluators, tasked with identifying sources of unpleasant odors around the town. This initiative comes in response to complaints from residents living near industrial areas who have reported disturbances from bad smells. Mayor Bruno Beltrame explained that the aim is to find an unconventional solution to a persistent issue by employing individuals specifically trained to detect various foul odors.

Candidates for the scent evaluator positions must meet specific criteria, including no allergies or asthma, possess a personal vehicle, and own a smartphone. The selected scent evaluators will receive training to distinguish between different types of odors, whether they emanate from factories, waste, or sewage. Once a bad odor is detected, these evaluators will promptly investigate the area and document their findings using a dedicated application on their phones.

Beltrame mentioned a previous project conducted five years ago, which successfully identified companies responsible for releasing odors into the environment. This new initiative aims to improve living conditions in Brendola and tackle the ongoing challenges of industrial pollution, highlighting a growing awareness of environmental issues within local governance in Europe.