The most overpowering odours of the nasty kind, can make your eyes water, your stomach turn and feel defenceless, which is why stink bombs are a tool used by governments for crowd and riot control. Israel, the Independent reported in 2004, had developed one such weapon that ensured the smell stays on clothing for 5 years.
Which are considered the worst smells to have ever existed? Ready to find out? Hold your nose, let’s begin!
An organosulphur compound, widely regarded as the most foul-smelling substance, it emits an odour so potent it caused nausea, vomiting, unconsciousness when a gas leak occurred in the town of Freiburg, Germany in 1889. And again in England in 1890 at Whitehall Soap Works, where the smell was described in conservative British terms as 'fearful'.
These two odours -- (CH2)5(NH2)2 and (CH2)4(NH2)2 -- are produced by the bacterial breakdown of amino acids in living & dead organisms. They are primarily responsible for the foul emanations associated with decaying flesh. Small amounts are also present in living organisms, resulting in bad breath and the stink that comes from urine.
These mammals have special anal glands that spray a strong-smelling liquid containing sulphur-based chemicals -- so smelly it's hard to breathe and can make eyes and noses sting and can be even smelled 5 km away -- to scare away enemies. Their glands hold 15 cm3 of the foul liquid.
Amorphophallus titanum, also called the corpse flower, grows in the rainforests of Sumatra. It is very large and gives off a very large smell too, akin to rotting meat.
A firmly acquired taste, many say its signature odour is like rotten onions, paint thinner, or even sewage ie something terrible. Other relish it, saying while it tastes awful it tastes 'heavenly' and it is eaten with sticky rice or as a vegetable. As they say, one man's poison is another man's meat...
The characteristic smell of rotten eggs is due to hydrogen sulphide or H₂S, a colourless gas produced by the bacterial breakdown of organic matter in the absence of oxygen. They won't rot in temperatures below 4°C.
The Belgian cheese -- known by its protectes name Herves, developed in the Duchy of Limburg in the 15th century -- is notorious for its strong, body-odour-like scent. The culprit? Brevibacterium linens, the same bacteria found on human skin, especially in sweaty feet. Though foul-smelling, much of Belgium considers it a delicacy for its creamy texture and tangy taste.
It gives off a repulsive mixture of gases like hydrogen sulphide, ammonia, methane — all the result of decomposing organic waste. Sometimes the gases when penned in become explosive as happened in Louisville, Kentucky in 1981 when 13 miles of lines were affected.
The smell of vomit is universally recognised as repulsive, often triggering nausea in others. This reaction is believed to be an evolutionary defense mechanism to protect against potential pathogens.
The smell of fecal matter in poop and farts is a recognised and reviled odour. It is caused by a mix of sulphur-containing compounds, like skatole and indole, which are produced during digestion. Its emoji is unchi-kun in Japanese.