Does a smell imply particles or chemicals in the air? [duplicate]
This question already has an answer here:
How does the smell of a compound come about, and is it possible to define a smell?
3 answers
(I know little science so please help me if I'm in the wrong place or if my question needs editing. I could use help with tagging, for example.)
If I can smell something then does that mean there are particles or chemicals in the air?
My question is motivated by some new window blinds that have been installed in my home. The blinds have a smell, which is most noticeable when the sun is shining on them. I am trying to work out if the blinds are emitting some chemical into the air. This question is my first step.
[This question is not the same as "How does the smell of a compound come about, and is it possible to define a smell?". This is clear from the title.]
everyday-chemistry smell
asked Dec 3 '18 at 12:49
cjacja
16916
marked as duplicate by Mithoron, airhuff, Tyberius, Jan, Todd Minehardt Dec 5 '18 at 17:06
This question has been asked before and already has an answer. If those answers do not fully address your question, please ask a new question.
|
show 3 more comments
This question already has an answer here:
How does the smell of a compound come about, and is it possible to define a smell?
3 answers
(I know little science so please help me if I'm in the wrong place or if my question needs editing. I could use help with tagging, for example.)
If I can smell something then does that mean there are particles or chemicals in the air?
My question is motivated by some new window blinds that have been installed in my home. The blinds have a smell, which is most noticeable when the sun is shining on them. I am trying to work out if the blinds are emitting some chemical into the air. This question is my first step.
[This question is not the same as "How does the smell of a compound come about, and is it possible to define a smell?". This is clear from the title.]
everyday-chemistry smell
asked Dec 3 '18 at 12:49
cjacja
16916
marked as duplicate by Mithoron, airhuff, Tyberius, Jan, Todd Minehardt Dec 5 '18 at 17:06
This question has been asked before and already has an answer. If those answers do not fully address your question, please ask a new question.
1
Followup question: Why can some dry objects (rocks and metal pieces for example) have a smell and not slowly lose mass and vanish, unless they are catalytic and doing something to materials in the air?
– rackandboneman
Dec 3 '18 at 14:57
1
Yes, next time you sniff something in the elevator consider exactly where each of those particles came from--and in order to smell something I don't think we're talking one or two particles--probably thousands? Millions?
– Bill K
Dec 3 '18 at 16:47
5
@rackandboneman Who says they aren't slowly losing mass and vanishing? "Slowly" could easily be over the course of centuries or decades.
– Nic Hartley
Dec 3 '18 at 17:38
4
Note that "chemical" is a term that's often used somewhat pejoratively. Sure, when you smell bleach or petrol fumes, you're smelling chemicals. But everything is a chemical, so the same is true when you're smelling lemons or baking bread.
– David Richerby
Dec 3 '18 at 22:16
3
You're detecting some kind of off-gassing, which is also known by the prettier name "new car smell"
– Criggie
Dec 4 '18 at 0:57
|
show 3 more comments
This question already has an answer here:
How does the smell of a compound come about, and is it possible to define a smell?
3 answers
(I know little science so please help me if I'm in the wrong place or if my question needs editing. I could use help with tagging, for example.)
If I can smell something then does that mean there are particles or chemicals in the air?
My question is motivated by some new window blinds that have been installed in my home. The blinds have a smell, which is most noticeable when the sun is shining on them. I am trying to work out if the blinds are emitting some chemical into the air. This question is my first step.
[This question is not the same as "How does the smell of a compound come about, and is it possible to define a smell?". This is clear from the title.]
everyday-chemistry smell
asked Dec 3 '18 at 12:49
cjacja
16916
This question already has an answer here:
How does the smell of a compound come about, and is it possible to define a smell?
3 answers
(I know little science so please help me if I'm in the wrong place or if my question needs editing. I could use help with tagging, for example.)
If I can smell something then does that mean there are particles or chemicals in the air?
My question is motivated by some new window blinds that have been installed in my home. The blinds have a smell, which is most noticeable when the sun is shining on them. I am trying to work out if the blinds are emitting some chemical into the air. This question is my first step.
[This question is not the same as "How does the smell of a compound come about, and is it possible to define a smell?". This is clear from the title.]
This question already has an answer here:
How does the smell of a compound come about, and is it possible to define a smell?
3 answers
everyday-chemistry smell
everyday-chemistry smell
asked Dec 3 '18 at 12:49
cjacja
16916
asked Dec 3 '18 at 12:49
cjacja
16916
edited Dec 4 '18 at 9:10
cja
asked Dec 3 '18 at 12:49
cjacja
16916
asked Dec 3 '18 at 12:49
cjacja
16916
asked Dec 3 '18 at 12:49
cjacja
16916
16916
marked as duplicate by Mithoron, airhuff, Tyberius, Jan, Todd Minehardt Dec 5 '18 at 17:06
This question has been asked before and already has an answer. If those answers do not fully address your question, please ask a new question.
marked as duplicate by Mithoron, airhuff, Tyberius, Jan, Todd Minehardt Dec 5 '18 at 17:06
This question has been asked before and already has an answer. If those answers do not fully address your question, please ask a new question.
1
Followup question: Why can some dry objects (rocks and metal pieces for example) have a smell and not slowly lose mass and vanish, unless they are catalytic and doing something to materials in the air?
– rackandboneman
Dec 3 '18 at 14:57
1
Yes, next time you sniff something in the elevator consider exactly where each of those particles came from--and in order to smell something I don't think we're talking one or two particles--probably thousands? Millions?
– Bill K
Dec 3 '18 at 16:47
5
@rackandboneman Who says they aren't slowly losing mass and vanishing? "Slowly" could easily be over the course of centuries or decades.
– Nic Hartley
Dec 3 '18 at 17:38
4
Note that "chemical" is a term that's often used somewhat pejoratively. Sure, when you smell bleach or petrol fumes, you're smelling chemicals. But everything is a chemical, so the same is true when you're smelling lemons or baking bread.
– David Richerby
Dec 3 '18 at 22:16
3
You're detecting some kind of off-gassing, which is also known by the prettier name "new car smell"
– Criggie
Dec 4 '18 at 0:57
|
show 3 more comments
1
Followup question: Why can some dry objects (rocks and metal pieces for example) have a smell and not slowly lose mass and vanish, unless they are catalytic and doing something to materials in the air?
– rackandboneman
Dec 3 '18 at 14:57
1
Yes, next time you sniff something in the elevator consider exactly where each of those particles came from--and in order to smell something I don't think we're talking one or two particles--probably thousands? Millions?
– Bill K
Dec 3 '18 at 16:47
5
@rackandboneman Who says they aren't slowly losing mass and vanishing? "Slowly" could easily be over the course of centuries or decades.
– Nic Hartley
Dec 3 '18 at 17:38
4
Note that "chemical" is a term that's often used somewhat pejoratively. Sure, when you smell bleach or petrol fumes, you're smelling chemicals. But everything is a chemical, so the same is true when you're smelling lemons or baking bread.
– David Richerby
Dec 3 '18 at 22:16
3
You're detecting some kind of off-gassing, which is also known by the prettier name "new car smell"
– Criggie
Dec 4 '18 at 0:57
1
1
Followup question: Why can some dry objects (rocks and metal pieces for example) have a smell and not slowly lose mass and vanish, unless they are catalytic and doing something to materials in the air?
– rackandboneman
Dec 3 '18 at 14:57
Followup question: Why can some dry objects (rocks and metal pieces for example) have a smell and not slowly lose mass and vanish, unless they are catalytic and doing something to materials in the air?
– rackandboneman
Dec 3 '18 at 14:57
1
1
Yes, next time you sniff something in the elevator consider exactly where each of those particles came from--and in order to smell something I don't think we're talking one or two particles--probably thousands? Millions?
– Bill K
Dec 3 '18 at 16:47
Yes, next time you sniff something in the elevator consider exactly where each of those particles came from--and in order to smell something I don't think we're talking one or two particles--probably thousands? Millions?
– Bill K
Dec 3 '18 at 16:47
5
5
@rackandboneman Who says they aren't slowly losing mass and vanishing? "Slowly" could easily be over the course of centuries or decades.
– Nic Hartley
Dec 3 '18 at 17:38
@rackandboneman Who says they aren't slowly losing mass and vanishing? "Slowly" could easily be over the course of centuries or decades.
– Nic Hartley
Dec 3 '18 at 17:38
4
4
Note that "chemical" is a term that's often used somewhat pejoratively. Sure, when you smell bleach or petrol fumes, you're smelling chemicals. But everything is a chemical, so the same is true when you're smelling lemons or baking bread.
– David Richerby
Dec 3 '18 at 22:16
Note that "chemical" is a term that's often used somewhat pejoratively. Sure, when you smell bleach or petrol fumes, you're smelling chemicals. But everything is a chemical, so the same is true when you're smelling lemons or baking bread.
– David Richerby
Dec 3 '18 at 22:16
3
3
You're detecting some kind of off-gassing, which is also known by the prettier name "new car smell"
– Criggie
Dec 4 '18 at 0:57
You're detecting some kind of off-gassing, which is also known by the prettier name "new car smell"
– Criggie
Dec 4 '18 at 0:57
|
show 3 more comments
3 Answers
3
active
oldest
votes
Smell works because your nose detects substances in the air.
Everything you can smell is the result of a molecule carried by air interacting with complex proteins in the nose/mouth (smell and taste are related but taste copes with solids and liquids as well as volatile airborne stuff). We broadly understand how smell works but the exact details are often a complete mystery.
The key is that smell-sensing nerves contain some proteins with very specific sensor sites that can detect particular groups of substances when they "fit" into the site. Exactly how the sites translate the fit into nerve signals is often a mystery. But the point that matters for this question is that the stuff being detected has to be carried into the nose via the air (which means it has to be a gas or, possibly, a very small particle that is easily carried by air).
So, yes, smell implies there are chemicals or particles in the air. However, the nose is extremely sensitive to some chemicals and being able to detect the smell does not imply a problem (even nasties like hydrogen sulphide are detectable by smell at below parts per billion concentration, hundreds of times below the level causing harm). Your blinds probably are emitting something but it is most likely both harmless and will probably fade with time like the smell characteristic of a new car.
answered Dec 3 '18 at 13:13
matt_blackmatt_black
18.1k350106
2
"Your blinds probably are emitting something but it is is both harmless and will probably fade with time like the smell characteristic of a new car." - How do you know it is harmless?
– cja
Dec 3 '18 at 13:33
6
@cja I can't prove it is harmless. But your blinds are a consumer product and most likely made from a standard substance (maybe PVC) which has been widely used for decades. Consumer regulations are not perfect but limit dangerous substances in consumer products. And, if harmful things were emitted, lots of people would have noticed by now.
– matt_black
Dec 3 '18 at 13:37
2
Odor from a material such as PVC is generally not the resin itself, but the plasticizer chemical that is used to make the material less rigid. There are also additives for UV resistance and fire resistance. Some of the additives have been proven to be harmful and have been eliminated in some or all jurisdictions. "Additive" sounds like it's a small thing but plasticizers can make up a significant percentage of the total material.
– Spehro Pefhany
Dec 3 '18 at 14:21
8
So, technically this is not 100% correct. Smell implies that there is a signal in the part of your brain that processes smells. Most commonly, this is due to neural input from the nose, but not always, e.g., when someone has a stroke.
– Zhe
Dec 3 '18 at 15:18
1
@cja Also, since every smell is caused by some airborne substance, you can't conclude from a smell alone that there is a harmful substance. Otherwise, every smell would be cause for concern. (Neither can you conclude from the absence of smell that there is no harmful substance in the air. E.g. carbon monoxide is completely odorless.) If you know the smell of a particular toxic substance, that's different of course.
– henning
Dec 3 '18 at 17:02
|
show 5 more comments
Definitively yes, as already described by another user.
I would point out that air conditions, such a temperature and humidity might trigger a kind of smelling sensation in many subjects. The so called "smell of coming snow" is likely an example. It is not related to your windows but I wanted to add this as a curiosity. Very very strictly speaking, smelling something doesn't implies specific molecules or particles are in the air.
answered Dec 3 '18 at 13:50
AlchimistaAlchimista
1,42038
add a comment |
Most definitely you are "smelling" a chemical (almost certainly a gas in this case), and many people have over sensitive inflammatory reactions to many "approved" chemicals in the environment (ie perfumes, fabric softeners, solvents, etc.), so you may have a reaction (like bronchial constriction) even though most people would not.
answered Dec 3 '18 at 14:49
JSK28031JSK28031
205
add a comment |
3 Answers
3
active
oldest
votes
3 Answers
3
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
Smell works because your nose detects substances in the air.
Everything you can smell is the result of a molecule carried by air interacting with complex proteins in the nose/mouth (smell and taste are related but taste copes with solids and liquids as well as volatile airborne stuff). We broadly understand how smell works but the exact details are often a complete mystery.
The key is that smell-sensing nerves contain some proteins with very specific sensor sites that can detect particular groups of substances when they "fit" into the site. Exactly how the sites translate the fit into nerve signals is often a mystery. But the point that matters for this question is that the stuff being detected has to be carried into the nose via the air (which means it has to be a gas or, possibly, a very small particle that is easily carried by air).
So, yes, smell implies there are chemicals or particles in the air. However, the nose is extremely sensitive to some chemicals and being able to detect the smell does not imply a problem (even nasties like hydrogen sulphide are detectable by smell at below parts per billion concentration, hundreds of times below the level causing harm). Your blinds probably are emitting something but it is most likely both harmless and will probably fade with time like the smell characteristic of a new car.
answered Dec 3 '18 at 13:13
matt_blackmatt_black
18.1k350106
2
"Your blinds probably are emitting something but it is is both harmless and will probably fade with time like the smell characteristic of a new car." - How do you know it is harmless?
– cja
Dec 3 '18 at 13:33
6
@cja I can't prove it is harmless. But your blinds are a consumer product and most likely made from a standard substance (maybe PVC) which has been widely used for decades. Consumer regulations are not perfect but limit dangerous substances in consumer products. And, if harmful things were emitted, lots of people would have noticed by now.
– matt_black
Dec 3 '18 at 13:37
2
Odor from a material such as PVC is generally not the resin itself, but the plasticizer chemical that is used to make the material less rigid. There are also additives for UV resistance and fire resistance. Some of the additives have been proven to be harmful and have been eliminated in some or all jurisdictions. "Additive" sounds like it's a small thing but plasticizers can make up a significant percentage of the total material.
– Spehro Pefhany
Dec 3 '18 at 14:21
8
So, technically this is not 100% correct. Smell implies that there is a signal in the part of your brain that processes smells. Most commonly, this is due to neural input from the nose, but not always, e.g., when someone has a stroke.
– Zhe
Dec 3 '18 at 15:18
1
@cja Also, since every smell is caused by some airborne substance, you can't conclude from a smell alone that there is a harmful substance. Otherwise, every smell would be cause for concern. (Neither can you conclude from the absence of smell that there is no harmful substance in the air. E.g. carbon monoxide is completely odorless.) If you know the smell of a particular toxic substance, that's different of course.
– henning
Dec 3 '18 at 17:02
|
show 5 more comments
Smell works because your nose detects substances in the air.
Everything you can smell is the result of a molecule carried by air interacting with complex proteins in the nose/mouth (smell and taste are related but taste copes with solids and liquids as well as volatile airborne stuff). We broadly understand how smell works but the exact details are often a complete mystery.
The key is that smell-sensing nerves contain some proteins with very specific sensor sites that can detect particular groups of substances when they "fit" into the site. Exactly how the sites translate the fit into nerve signals is often a mystery. But the point that matters for this question is that the stuff being detected has to be carried into the nose via the air (which means it has to be a gas or, possibly, a very small particle that is easily carried by air).
So, yes, smell implies there are chemicals or particles in the air. However, the nose is extremely sensitive to some chemicals and being able to detect the smell does not imply a problem (even nasties like hydrogen sulphide are detectable by smell at below parts per billion concentration, hundreds of times below the level causing harm). Your blinds probably are emitting something but it is most likely both harmless and will probably fade with time like the smell characteristic of a new car.
answered Dec 3 '18 at 13:13
matt_blackmatt_black
18.1k350106
2
"Your blinds probably are emitting something but it is is both harmless and will probably fade with time like the smell characteristic of a new car." - How do you know it is harmless?
– cja
Dec 3 '18 at 13:33
6
@cja I can't prove it is harmless. But your blinds are a consumer product and most likely made from a standard substance (maybe PVC) which has been widely used for decades. Consumer regulations are not perfect but limit dangerous substances in consumer products. And, if harmful things were emitted, lots of people would have noticed by now.
– matt_black
Dec 3 '18 at 13:37
2
Odor from a material such as PVC is generally not the resin itself, but the plasticizer chemical that is used to make the material less rigid. There are also additives for UV resistance and fire resistance. Some of the additives have been proven to be harmful and have been eliminated in some or all jurisdictions. "Additive" sounds like it's a small thing but plasticizers can make up a significant percentage of the total material.
– Spehro Pefhany
Dec 3 '18 at 14:21
8
So, technically this is not 100% correct. Smell implies that there is a signal in the part of your brain that processes smells. Most commonly, this is due to neural input from the nose, but not always, e.g., when someone has a stroke.
– Zhe
Dec 3 '18 at 15:18
1
@cja Also, since every smell is caused by some airborne substance, you can't conclude from a smell alone that there is a harmful substance. Otherwise, every smell would be cause for concern. (Neither can you conclude from the absence of smell that there is no harmful substance in the air. E.g. carbon monoxide is completely odorless.) If you know the smell of a particular toxic substance, that's different of course.
– henning
Dec 3 '18 at 17:02
|
show 5 more comments
Smell works because your nose detects substances in the air.
Everything you can smell is the result of a molecule carried by air interacting with complex proteins in the nose/mouth (smell and taste are related but taste copes with solids and liquids as well as volatile airborne stuff). We broadly understand how smell works but the exact details are often a complete mystery.
The key is that smell-sensing nerves contain some proteins with very specific sensor sites that can detect particular groups of substances when they "fit" into the site. Exactly how the sites translate the fit into nerve signals is often a mystery. But the point that matters for this question is that the stuff being detected has to be carried into the nose via the air (which means it has to be a gas or, possibly, a very small particle that is easily carried by air).
So, yes, smell implies there are chemicals or particles in the air. However, the nose is extremely sensitive to some chemicals and being able to detect the smell does not imply a problem (even nasties like hydrogen sulphide are detectable by smell at below parts per billion concentration, hundreds of times below the level causing harm). Your blinds probably are emitting something but it is most likely both harmless and will probably fade with time like the smell characteristic of a new car.
answered Dec 3 '18 at 13:13
matt_blackmatt_black
18.1k350106
Smell works because your nose detects substances in the air.
Everything you can smell is the result of a molecule carried by air interacting with complex proteins in the nose/mouth (smell and taste are related but taste copes with solids and liquids as well as volatile airborne stuff). We broadly understand how smell works but the exact details are often a complete mystery.
The key is that smell-sensing nerves contain some proteins with very specific sensor sites that can detect particular groups of substances when they "fit" into the site. Exactly how the sites translate the fit into nerve signals is often a mystery. But the point that matters for this question is that the stuff being detected has to be carried into the nose via the air (which means it has to be a gas or, possibly, a very small particle that is easily carried by air).
So, yes, smell implies there are chemicals or particles in the air. However, the nose is extremely sensitive to some chemicals and being able to detect the smell does not imply a problem (even nasties like hydrogen sulphide are detectable by smell at below parts per billion concentration, hundreds of times below the level causing harm). Your blinds probably are emitting something but it is most likely both harmless and will probably fade with time like the smell characteristic of a new car.
answered Dec 3 '18 at 13:13
matt_blackmatt_black
18.1k350106
edited Dec 4 '18 at 9:40
answered Dec 3 '18 at 13:13
matt_blackmatt_black
18.1k350106
answered Dec 3 '18 at 13:13
matt_blackmatt_black
18.1k350106
answered Dec 3 '18 at 13:13
matt_blackmatt_black
18.1k350106
18.1k350106
2
"Your blinds probably are emitting something but it is is both harmless and will probably fade with time like the smell characteristic of a new car." - How do you know it is harmless?
– cja
Dec 3 '18 at 13:33
6
@cja I can't prove it is harmless. But your blinds are a consumer product and most likely made from a standard substance (maybe PVC) which has been widely used for decades. Consumer regulations are not perfect but limit dangerous substances in consumer products. And, if harmful things were emitted, lots of people would have noticed by now.
– matt_black
Dec 3 '18 at 13:37
2
Odor from a material such as PVC is generally not the resin itself, but the plasticizer chemical that is used to make the material less rigid. There are also additives for UV resistance and fire resistance. Some of the additives have been proven to be harmful and have been eliminated in some or all jurisdictions. "Additive" sounds like it's a small thing but plasticizers can make up a significant percentage of the total material.
– Spehro Pefhany
Dec 3 '18 at 14:21
8
So, technically this is not 100% correct. Smell implies that there is a signal in the part of your brain that processes smells. Most commonly, this is due to neural input from the nose, but not always, e.g., when someone has a stroke.
– Zhe
Dec 3 '18 at 15:18
1
@cja Also, since every smell is caused by some airborne substance, you can't conclude from a smell alone that there is a harmful substance. Otherwise, every smell would be cause for concern. (Neither can you conclude from the absence of smell that there is no harmful substance in the air. E.g. carbon monoxide is completely odorless.) If you know the smell of a particular toxic substance, that's different of course.
– henning
Dec 3 '18 at 17:02
|
show 5 more comments
2
"Your blinds probably are emitting something but it is is both harmless and will probably fade with time like the smell characteristic of a new car." - How do you know it is harmless?
– cja
Dec 3 '18 at 13:33
6
@cja I can't prove it is harmless. But your blinds are a consumer product and most likely made from a standard substance (maybe PVC) which has been widely used for decades. Consumer regulations are not perfect but limit dangerous substances in consumer products. And, if harmful things were emitted, lots of people would have noticed by now.
– matt_black
Dec 3 '18 at 13:37
2
Odor from a material such as PVC is generally not the resin itself, but the plasticizer chemical that is used to make the material less rigid. There are also additives for UV resistance and fire resistance. Some of the additives have been proven to be harmful and have been eliminated in some or all jurisdictions. "Additive" sounds like it's a small thing but plasticizers can make up a significant percentage of the total material.
– Spehro Pefhany
Dec 3 '18 at 14:21
8
So, technically this is not 100% correct. Smell implies that there is a signal in the part of your brain that processes smells. Most commonly, this is due to neural input from the nose, but not always, e.g., when someone has a stroke.
– Zhe
Dec 3 '18 at 15:18
1
@cja Also, since every smell is caused by some airborne substance, you can't conclude from a smell alone that there is a harmful substance. Otherwise, every smell would be cause for concern. (Neither can you conclude from the absence of smell that there is no harmful substance in the air. E.g. carbon monoxide is completely odorless.) If you know the smell of a particular toxic substance, that's different of course.
– henning
Dec 3 '18 at 17:02
2
2
"Your blinds probably are emitting something but it is is both harmless and will probably fade with time like the smell characteristic of a new car." - How do you know it is harmless?
– cja
Dec 3 '18 at 13:33
"Your blinds probably are emitting something but it is is both harmless and will probably fade with time like the smell characteristic of a new car." - How do you know it is harmless?
– cja
Dec 3 '18 at 13:33
6
6
@cja I can't prove it is harmless. But your blinds are a consumer product and most likely made from a standard substance (maybe PVC) which has been widely used for decades. Consumer regulations are not perfect but limit dangerous substances in consumer products. And, if harmful things were emitted, lots of people would have noticed by now.
– matt_black
Dec 3 '18 at 13:37
@cja I can't prove it is harmless. But your blinds are a consumer product and most likely made from a standard substance (maybe PVC) which has been widely used for decades. Consumer regulations are not perfect but limit dangerous substances in consumer products. And, if harmful things were emitted, lots of people would have noticed by now.
– matt_black
Dec 3 '18 at 13:37
2
2
Odor from a material such as PVC is generally not the resin itself, but the plasticizer chemical that is used to make the material less rigid. There are also additives for UV resistance and fire resistance. Some of the additives have been proven to be harmful and have been eliminated in some or all jurisdictions. "Additive" sounds like it's a small thing but plasticizers can make up a significant percentage of the total material.
– Spehro Pefhany
Dec 3 '18 at 14:21
Odor from a material such as PVC is generally not the resin itself, but the plasticizer chemical that is used to make the material less rigid. There are also additives for UV resistance and fire resistance. Some of the additives have been proven to be harmful and have been eliminated in some or all jurisdictions. "Additive" sounds like it's a small thing but plasticizers can make up a significant percentage of the total material.
– Spehro Pefhany
Dec 3 '18 at 14:21
8
8
So, technically this is not 100% correct. Smell implies that there is a signal in the part of your brain that processes smells. Most commonly, this is due to neural input from the nose, but not always, e.g., when someone has a stroke.
– Zhe
Dec 3 '18 at 15:18
So, technically this is not 100% correct. Smell implies that there is a signal in the part of your brain that processes smells. Most commonly, this is due to neural input from the nose, but not always, e.g., when someone has a stroke.
– Zhe
Dec 3 '18 at 15:18
1
1
@cja Also, since every smell is caused by some airborne substance, you can't conclude from a smell alone that there is a harmful substance. Otherwise, every smell would be cause for concern. (Neither can you conclude from the absence of smell that there is no harmful substance in the air. E.g. carbon monoxide is completely odorless.) If you know the smell of a particular toxic substance, that's different of course.
– henning
Dec 3 '18 at 17:02
@cja Also, since every smell is caused by some airborne substance, you can't conclude from a smell alone that there is a harmful substance. Otherwise, every smell would be cause for concern. (Neither can you conclude from the absence of smell that there is no harmful substance in the air. E.g. carbon monoxide is completely odorless.) If you know the smell of a particular toxic substance, that's different of course.
– henning
Dec 3 '18 at 17:02
|
show 5 more comments
Definitively yes, as already described by another user.
I would point out that air conditions, such a temperature and humidity might trigger a kind of smelling sensation in many subjects. The so called "smell of coming snow" is likely an example. It is not related to your windows but I wanted to add this as a curiosity. Very very strictly speaking, smelling something doesn't implies specific molecules or particles are in the air.
answered Dec 3 '18 at 13:50
AlchimistaAlchimista
1,42038
add a comment |
Definitively yes, as already described by another user.
I would point out that air conditions, such a temperature and humidity might trigger a kind of smelling sensation in many subjects. The so called "smell of coming snow" is likely an example. It is not related to your windows but I wanted to add this as a curiosity. Very very strictly speaking, smelling something doesn't implies specific molecules or particles are in the air.
answered Dec 3 '18 at 13:50
AlchimistaAlchimista
1,42038
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Definitively yes, as already described by another user.
I would point out that air conditions, such a temperature and humidity might trigger a kind of smelling sensation in many subjects. The so called "smell of coming snow" is likely an example. It is not related to your windows but I wanted to add this as a curiosity. Very very strictly speaking, smelling something doesn't implies specific molecules or particles are in the air.
answered Dec 3 '18 at 13:50
AlchimistaAlchimista
1,42038
Definitively yes, as already described by another user.
I would point out that air conditions, such a temperature and humidity might trigger a kind of smelling sensation in many subjects. The so called "smell of coming snow" is likely an example. It is not related to your windows but I wanted to add this as a curiosity. Very very strictly speaking, smelling something doesn't implies specific molecules or particles are in the air.
answered Dec 3 '18 at 13:50
AlchimistaAlchimista
1,42038
answered Dec 3 '18 at 13:50
AlchimistaAlchimista
1,42038
answered Dec 3 '18 at 13:50
AlchimistaAlchimista
1,42038
answered Dec 3 '18 at 13:50
AlchimistaAlchimista
1,42038
1,42038
add a comment |
add a comment |
Most definitely you are "smelling" a chemical (almost certainly a gas in this case), and many people have over sensitive inflammatory reactions to many "approved" chemicals in the environment (ie perfumes, fabric softeners, solvents, etc.), so you may have a reaction (like bronchial constriction) even though most people would not.
answered Dec 3 '18 at 14:49
JSK28031JSK28031
205
add a comment |
Most definitely you are "smelling" a chemical (almost certainly a gas in this case), and many people have over sensitive inflammatory reactions to many "approved" chemicals in the environment (ie perfumes, fabric softeners, solvents, etc.), so you may have a reaction (like bronchial constriction) even though most people would not.
answered Dec 3 '18 at 14:49
JSK28031JSK28031
205
add a comment |
Most definitely you are "smelling" a chemical (almost certainly a gas in this case), and many people have over sensitive inflammatory reactions to many "approved" chemicals in the environment (ie perfumes, fabric softeners, solvents, etc.), so you may have a reaction (like bronchial constriction) even though most people would not.
answered Dec 3 '18 at 14:49
JSK28031JSK28031
205
Most definitely you are "smelling" a chemical (almost certainly a gas in this case), and many people have over sensitive inflammatory reactions to many "approved" chemicals in the environment (ie perfumes, fabric softeners, solvents, etc.), so you may have a reaction (like bronchial constriction) even though most people would not.
answered Dec 3 '18 at 14:49
JSK28031JSK28031
205
answered Dec 3 '18 at 14:49
JSK28031JSK28031
205
answered Dec 3 '18 at 14:49
JSK28031JSK28031
205
answered Dec 3 '18 at 14:49
JSK28031JSK28031
205
205
add a comment |
add a comment |
1
Followup question: Why can some dry objects (rocks and metal pieces for example) have a smell and not slowly lose mass and vanish, unless they are catalytic and doing something to materials in the air?
– rackandboneman
Dec 3 '18 at 14:57
1
Yes, next time you sniff something in the elevator consider exactly where each of those particles came from--and in order to smell something I don't think we're talking one or two particles--probably thousands? Millions?
– Bill K
Dec 3 '18 at 16:47
5
@rackandboneman Who says they aren't slowly losing mass and vanishing? "Slowly" could easily be over the course of centuries or decades.
– Nic Hartley
Dec 3 '18 at 17:38
4
Note that "chemical" is a term that's often used somewhat pejoratively. Sure, when you smell bleach or petrol fumes, you're smelling chemicals. But everything is a chemical, so the same is true when you're smelling lemons or baking bread.
– David Richerby
Dec 3 '18 at 22:16
3
You're detecting some kind of off-gassing, which is also known by the prettier name "new car smell"
– Criggie
Dec 4 '18 at 0:57