Connie, perhaps you're just sensitive specifically to ASF odor because generally most people don't find them at all "smelly" compared to regular rats or mice. When writing a caresheet one must go on general concepts since it cannot be written to every single person's specifics or situation. It's just a general guideline and a starting point (or should be).

As far as your own reaction to ASF's, I know for instance I'm freaky about the smell of skunk. I'm so sensitive to it I can smell it before anyone else I've ever met. Get too much of a smell of it and I'm literally throwing up like mad. I had a dog once that got nailed by a skunk twice in one summer. I can tell you it was hell for me. I've no idea why I over-react to even a whiff of skunk musk but perhaps that's similar to your experience with ASF's.