Ah, the smell of freshly cut grass.

[Fuel]

What is entering my nose when I smell freshly cut grass? Does smelling this scent in high doses have any impact on my health, in any way, short-term or long-term?

I'm sure no studies have been done on this, but maybe someone with some education in Biology could draw some rough conclusions for me?

[Apollon]

I don't know if it's good or bad for health, but the scent makes me feel wonderful!
Only fresh baked bread smells better.

[dinoboy]

Basically, many, but not all, things give off odorants which are very small chemical compounds (many are esters) that vaporize very easily. These are picked up by receptors in your nose and interpreted by your brain as 'smell'. Smell is not usually so bad for you by itself, but it can serve as a warning that there is something else present that is not so good for health (this is why things like natural gas have a scent added to them - so we can detect it).

Here and here have more than you probably ever wanted to know.

[dinoboy]

oh, as for health effects, I don't know of any direct relations but I would bet that smells might indirectly influence health through their link with memory and emotion. Not sure about the studies but I'm led to believe that happier people tend to be sick less...


Good smells, good feelings, good health

[The Hamster King]

Originally posted by Fuel
Does smelling this scent in high doses have any impact on my health, in any way, short-term or long-term?

It depends upon what's producing the smell ... .

Phosgene gas smells like freshly cut grass ... .

[Fuel]

It's just that I run a lawn business for a living right now and I was wondering about the possible healing effects of grass particles in high dosages.

These particles are indeed filtered before they enter my lungs, but where do they go after that? Enter my bloodstream, get caught up in mucus and blown out my nose, ect?

Does the chlorophyll in grass actually enter my system? Because, IIANM, chlorophyll is good for you, right?

Crazy question, I know. My curiosity runs wild sometimes, but it's cool to see what you brainiacs come up with........

[dinoboy]

I am not familiar with any benefits of inhaling any foliage in the way that you describe (there are alternative methods however ). On the contrary, large particles (of grass or dust) are unhealthful to inhale - but fear not, your lungs contain a mucus which will remove many of these invaders (you do not absorb these as if you ate them however, so no benefits, sorry).

You also mentioned that these are filtered, do you mean you wear a mask? That is probably not necessary for lawn care (unless you work in L.A.), but in either case, I do not think you are doing any harm to yourself by mowing lawns, nor, besides the exercise part, are you going to heal up any wounds.

Happy mowing!

[Fuel]

I meant "filtered" as in naturally filtered by the nose.
Also, I was talking about small particles that cause the scent.