Mysterious New York Odor 1

[rhodie]

see link:

http://www.breitbart.com/news/2005/10/28/D8DH398O4.html

I distinctly remember being involved or around several metal plating operations that gave off a similar smell.

What do you think this might be?

 

[Slugger926]

If it were almonds, i would say cyanide.

Who knows....... I saw it on Fox this morning and was wondering myself.

 

[jmw]

Beware the well intentioned meddlers!
There was a recent study of commuting by underground (subway) in London that noted that one of the factors in the environment was the characteristic odour of the vast masses of people and the ventilation system. The proposal was to introcue aerosol distribution of less odious smells... probably a bright idea from one of the room fragrance (air freshener) companies...
Anyone know just how safe are all these chemicals being sold to an unsuspecting public with which to "freshen up" their homes? everything from aromatic oils to "shake-n-vac" powders?

JMW

http://www.ViscoAnalyser.com

 

[DaveVikingPE]

It got into my building Thursday night (I was working late). Could smell it on and off on the way home (a couple of miles up from downtown), too.

Thoughts: 1) Barge with lots of spice unloaded it. That or sand worms have been unloosed due to work on Water Tunnel #3... 2) the almonds thing; first to cross my mind, but it didn't smell like almonds. 3) Downtown donut festival? Nope...

4) SERIOUS: someone's testing something, or verifying a computer model. This someone could be a good guy or a bad guy.

Until the cops come up with a definite source, I think it's a good guy just trying things out.

 

[PZas]

Very true about the testing. Humans are able to detect some odors at levels that testing equipment will often miss (1 part per billion for skunk smell). These are the only chemicals that we can smell as well as other animals. These chemicals also tend to be harmless and biodegradable.

Releasing a chemical such as this would allow a group of individuals (or just one) to test airflow patterns for free gasses within the city. Hell by picking something that smelt good they are getting the citizens to do the data collection for them.

 

[Tobalcane]

For some reason I feel like a salted pretzel with mustard…or some of those roasted chestnuts…

Go Mechanical Engineering
Tobalcane

 

[HgTX]

But you don't look like a salted pretzel with mustard.

Hg

 

[LCruiser]

Tobalcane...

Aren't you supposed to be a structural engineer? And I think you look like a bottle of Hiram Walker...

 

[Tobalcane]

Ha ha, sorry, I’m from NYC (not living there now) and when this post said strange smells from NYC, the first thing that popped in my head was the vending guys that sell pretzels, hot dogs, roasted nuts, …etc, kind of brings back memories.

LCruiser,
I thought Hiram Walker was a small dog with a red collar around his neck (FM)?


Go Mechanical Engineering
Tobalcane

 

[btrueblood]

Geez, a city of millions, and somebody just now noticed an "odd smell"?

 

[HgTX]

It's odd because it was a *pleasant* smell.

Hg

Eng-Tips policies: faq731-376