To celebrate National Sense of Smell Day on April 27, Cintas Corporation announced 10 fun facts about humans’ sense of smell. Sponsored by Sense of Smell Institute, National Sense of Smell Day aims to educate and raise awareness about the power of scents. Odor control specialists highlighted facts to help organizations understand the powerful role that scent plays within their facilities and how it impacts the lives of building occupants each and every day.

“Since our sense of smell is highly linked to memory and perception, businesses should implement programs that work to tackle malodors in restrooms and other key areas of the facility,” said Dave Mesko, Senior Director of Marketing and Strategy, Cintas Corporation. “Through cleaning programs and odor-control products, businesses can ensure customers are constantly greeted with a fresh scent and positive first impression.”

Ten fun facts about sense of smell:

1. Everyone has a unique odor identity similar to a fingerprint — no two people smell the same way except identical twins.

2. The human brain can process roughly 10,000 different smells in an area the size of a postage stamp.

3. A woman’s sense of smell is much stronger than a man’s.

4. A person’s sense of smell is weakest in the morning and the ability to perceive odor increases throughout the day.

5. Approximately 80 percent of what we taste is actually qualified by our sense of smell. This is why our taste is diminished during a cold or flu.

6. Prolonged exposure to unpleasant smells can actually impair your ability to smell. Wearing a mask over the nose and mouth can help lessen the effects of malodors.

7. Smell has a very powerful link to memory and links to the emotional regions of the brain more directly than other senses.

8. Our sense of smell is strongest in the spring and summer because of the added moisture in the air. It is also stronger after exercising because of the additional moisture in the nasal cavity.

9. Scent works in the opposite direction of other senses. With sight, sound and taste, we identify the information first and then react emotionally. With scents, we have an emotional reaction first and then identify the scent shortly thereafter.

10. People can remember smells with 65 percent accuracy after a year, while visual recall is about 50 percent after three months.

“A pleasant scent can signal powerful memories that bring us back to a great experience—while a disagreeable odor can be offensive,” added Mesko. “The facts about scent help businesses understand how critical this sense is for customers and how it impacts overall perception of a facility.”