Sniff Squad Wanted: Italian Town Is Hiring ‘Odour Detectives’ To Hunt Foul Smells

Last Updated:February 14, 2026, 22:12 IST

Vicenza is part of the Po Valley, a vast region that includes parts of Veneto, Piedmont, Lombardy and Emilia-Romagna, and is known as one of the most polluted areas in Europe.

A town in Italy is looking for people to help track down foul smells as part of an effort to improve air quality.

Bruno Beltrame, the mayor of Brendola in the northern province of Vicenza, said the idea came after residents living near industrial areas complained about frequent bad odours. To address this, the town has launched a search for six “odour evaluators".

Applicants must not have allergies or breathing problems like asthma. They also need a car and a smartphone, which will be used to log smell reports through a special app.

The selected volunteers will receive training from a company that specialises in measuring odours, teaching them how to identify and classify different types of smells, such as those coming from factories, industrial waste or sewage.

They will be asked to visit specific locations and use their senses to assess the air. If they notice an unpleasant smell, they will take time to sniff the area and then log what they experience on the app.

The project, which is set to run for six months, aims to pinpoint where the odours are coming from.

“We carried out a similar study about five years ago in an industrial zone near the current problem areas," Beltrame said. “That helped us identify the companies responsible. This time, we’re covering a wider area to see whether the same firms are involved again or if new sources have emerged."

Vicenza is part of the Po Valley, a vast region that includes parts of Veneto, Piedmont, Lombardy and Emilia-Romagna, and is known as one of the most polluted areas in Europe.

“We’re at the end of the valley just before the Alpine foothills," said Beltrame. “So it’s a huge undertaking because these areas are among the most productive, but they’re also the ones at risk of creating pollution."

He said there are several initiatives across the province that constantly focus on improving air and water quality. “We already have many rules and systems in place, and if companies violate them, they face heavy fines."

Brendola has around 4,000 residents who have become more conscious about environmental protection over the years. Beltrame said earlier people may not have paid much attention, but now they care more about their surroundings and quality of life. “When they notice dumped waste or bad smells, they report it. That helps us act quickly and prevent more serious problems."

The local administration first advertised the paid roles before Christmas, but no one applied. Beltrame said this was probably because it was close to the holidays and people were not interested.

However, after the ad was reposted on Facebook this week, around a dozen people responded. “Most of them are university students with some free time, and they seem quite enthusiastic."

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