That is one nice round figure, you have to admit. It sure does smell and look like crap.
It’s rounded down from 14,700. And that was in 2007. A more accurate figure would be 15,000.
If you have a problem with a fact from a scientific publication, then publish a counter argument in the same journal. It shouldn’t be that hard to disprove if you’re as right as you think you are.
Until then, it’s the best evidence we have. Far better than whether you think it smells good.