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Toxicology – Odor-Associated Toxins
Bitter Almond Odor
This characteristic smell is classically associated with cyanide exposure, although a significant portion of the population cannot detect it due to genetic variation.
Garlic-Like Odor
Substances such as phosphorus, arsenic compounds (arsine), organophosphates, selenium, thallium, and dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) may produce a garlic-like smell.
Rotten Egg Odor
Hydrogen sulfide, carbon disulfide, mercaptans, disulfiram, and N-acetylcysteine are known to emit a sulfurous “rotten egg” odor.
Fruity Odor
A sweet or fruity smell may be present in exposures involving nitriles, ketoacidosis, ethanol, isopropanol, chloroform, trichloroethane, paraldehyde, chloral hydrate, methyl bromide, and certain nitrites.
Fishy or Musty Odor
Compounds such as zinc phosphide, aluminum phosphide, and nickel carbonyl may produce a fishy or musty scent.
Ammonia-Like Odor
Ammonia exposure is associated with a sharp, pungent odor that is easily recognizable.
Mothball Odor
Naphthalene, camphor, and p-dichlorobenzene commonly produce the classic mothball smell.
Minty Odor
Methylsalicylate (oil of wintergreen) and menthol can give off a distinct mint-like aroma.
Disinfectant Odor
Phenol and creosote are associated with a strong antiseptic or disinfectant-like smell.
Burnt Rope Odor
This smell may be linked to marijuana or opium exposure.
Carrot-Like Odor
Cicutoxin, found in water hemlock, can produce an odor reminiscent of carrots.
Hay-Like Odor
Phosgene exposure may be associated with a freshly cut hay smell.
Pear-Like Odor
Chloral hydrate may produce a scent resembling pears.
Pepper Odor
Exposure to riot control agents such as CS (tear gas) can result in a pepper-like smell.
Pine Odor
Pine oil is associated with a characteristic pine-like scent.
Peanut Butter Odor
Vacor, a rodenticide, has been described as having a peanut butter-like odor.
Shoe Polish Odor
Nitrobenzene exposure may produce a smell similar to shoe polish.
Tobacco Odor
Nicotine-containing substances often have a distinct tobacco-like smell.
Vinegar Odor
Acetic acid and hydrofluoric acid may emit a sharp, vinegar-like odor.
Violet Odor
Turpentine metabolites excreted in urine may produce a violet-like scent.
New Car Smell
Chemicals such as benzene, cyclohexanone, and styrene, often found in new materials, can produce this recognizable odor.
PEARLS
Bitter Almond Odor
This characteristic smell is classically associated with cyanide exposure, although a significant portion of the population cannot detect it due to genetic variation.
Garlic-Like Odor
Substances such as phosphorus, arsenic compounds (arsine), organophosphates, selenium, thallium, and dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) may produce a garlic-like smell.
Rotten Egg Odor
Hydrogen sulfide, carbon disulfide, mercaptans, disulfiram, and N-acetylcysteine are known to emit a sulfurous “rotten egg” odor.
Fruity Odor
A sweet or fruity smell may be present in exposures involving nitriles, ketoacidosis, ethanol, isopropanol, chloroform, trichloroethane, paraldehyde, chloral hydrate, methyl bromide, and certain nitrites.
Fishy or Musty Odor
Compounds such as zinc phosphide, aluminum phosphide, and nickel carbonyl may produce a fishy or musty scent.
Ammonia-Like Odor
Ammonia exposure is associated with a sharp, pungent odor that is easily recognizable.
Mothball Odor
Naphthalene, camphor, and p-dichlorobenzene commonly produce the classic mothball smell.
Minty Odor
Methylsalicylate (oil of wintergreen) and menthol can give off a distinct mint-like aroma.
Disinfectant Odor
Phenol and creosote are associated with a strong antiseptic or disinfectant-like smell.
Burnt Rope Odor
This smell may be linked to marijuana or opium exposure.
Carrot-Like Odor
Cicutoxin, found in water hemlock, can produce an odor reminiscent of carrots.
Hay-Like Odor
Phosgene exposure may be associated with a freshly cut hay smell.
Pear-Like Odor
Chloral hydrate may produce a scent resembling pears.
Pepper Odor
Exposure to riot control agents such as CS (tear gas) can result in a pepper-like smell.
Pine Odor
Pine oil is associated with a characteristic pine-like scent.
Peanut Butter Odor
Vacor, a rodenticide, has been described as having a peanut butter-like odor.
Shoe Polish Odor
Nitrobenzene exposure may produce a smell similar to shoe polish.
Tobacco Odor
Nicotine-containing substances often have a distinct tobacco-like smell.
Vinegar Odor
Acetic acid and hydrofluoric acid may emit a sharp, vinegar-like odor.
Violet Odor
Turpentine metabolites excreted in urine may produce a violet-like scent.
New Car Smell
Chemicals such as benzene, cyclohexanone, and styrene, often found in new materials, can produce this recognizable odor.
PEARLS
- Approximately 40% of individuals are unable to detect the bitter almond odor of cyanide.
- Hydrogen sulfide exposure can quickly lead to olfactory fatigue, reducing the ability to perceive its smell.
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