What does sulfur smell like?

The smell of sulfur is so distinct that people who’ve lost their sense of smell can often identify it. It can be traced to its distinct odor that smells like rotten eggs. This odor is usually associated with the process of creating sulfuric acid, a chemical used to clean and brighten metal and is used in the production of many commercial products.

What does sulfur smell like hot?

sulfur smells a lot like hot metal. In fact, when they are burned, sulfur dioxide fumes give off a distinct metallic whiff. At lower temperatures, sulfur smells like rotten eggs, and at higher temperatures, it smells more like gunpowder. One way to test whether a commercial product smells like sulfur is to rub some on your wrist. If it burns you, it definitely has a strong sulfur odor.

What does sulfur smell like when it's burning?

Sulfur smells like rotten eggs and is usually an indication of sulfur dioxide (SO2), a gas that is colorless and highly flammable. When the gas is burned, it produces a black smoke that is sooty and extremely irritating to the lungs.

What does sulfur smell like when it's reacting?

When sulfur is reacting, it produces a chemical known as thioethers. These compounds have an earthy, musty odor. Humans aren’t very sensitive to them, so they can be used in perfumes, cleaning products and food flavoring.

What does sulfur smell like rotten eggs?

When someone says that sulfur smells like rotten eggs, they’re not kidding! That’s because sulfur smells like hydrogen sulfide (H2S), the chemical that gives flatulence that distinct odor. H2S is also the reason why eggs and egg products turn rancid, as it’s what gives them a foul smell.