Something in the air

An employee conducts an odour test at a laboratory in Nanjing, China. In terms of smell, what do you prefer? Photo: Reuters

We are a jaded lot. While some people live with the threat of a bomb falling on their house at any moment, some of us are more concerned about the scent we put on every morning.

And I’m not talking about any old scent. It would appear that some folks are no longer content with smelling of jasmine, vanilla, musk or chocolate cake – they want something edgier.