<p>If you are smelling something, you are inhaling gases, particles, or a combination of the two.  They don't normally build up in the atmosphere because of three reasons:  transport/dilution (which you mentioned), <strong>chemistry</strong>, and <strong>deposition</strong>.  Yes there is plenty of fresh air out there but as you say, over billions of years there would be a lot of accumulation of odorous compounds if it weren't going somewhere.  Though, stinky air does get trapped near the ground sometimes during stagnation events, caused by a temperature inversion close to the surface which prevents mixing with the upper air.</p>

<p>Atmospheric chemistry usually involves the hydroxyl radical (OH) in some way.  Rapid chemical conversions of gases often depends on OH, which is cycling and replenished thanks to the abundance of oxygen and water vapor in the atmosphere.  Many gaseous pollutants will go through a series of chemical reactions with OH, other chemicals, and/or sunlight.  They are then converted to simpler chemicals that we don't really smell.  Most odorous pollutants are chemically converted quickly (e.g. hours, days).  Some pollutants do take years to convert (e.g. methane) and so accumulate in the atmosphere.  We don't smell them, though, because our ability to "smell" things is limited to organic compounds and other molecules like hydrogen sulfide and ammonia (see <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Odor#Physiology_of_smell" rel="nofollow noreferrer">here</a>). </p>

<p>Deposition of air pollutants is dominated by precipitation, whereby rain can scavenge particles and chemically react with gases.  The rain deposits the pollutants (usually in a modified form) onto the surface of the Earth.  Dry deposition also occurs, especially with "sticky" compounds like ammonia.  However, dry deposition is not nearly as efficient as wet deposition.  Though, if particles are large enough, they will settle out of the atmosphere relatively quickly and deposit on the surface.</p>

<p>I suggest you read up a little on the topic <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Air_pollution" rel="nofollow noreferrer">here</a> to get you more familiar with the different factors that affect air pollutants.</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2018-07-30T15:44:45.603Z
Methane might not be the best example considering it is odorless.
Shufflepants
CC BY-SA 4.0
2018-07-30T16:41:09.007Z
Good point!  I'm trying to think of a long-lived pollutant that has an odor... any ideas?
f.thorpe
CC BY-SA 4.0
2018-10-29T07:39:08.527Z
@farrenthorpe Carbon monoxide?
Bollehenk
CC BY-SA 4.0
2018-10-29T22:26:47.903Z
@Bollehenk Carbon Monoxide does not have an odor that we can smell.
f.thorpe
CC BY-SA 4.0
2018-02-16T20:58:55.980Z
2018-10-27T21:39:16.153Z
2018-10-27T21:39:16.153Z
f.thorpe
<p>Suppose that I haven't taken a shower for a while, or haven't disposed of my trash, or something, and the room I've been in now stinks. Then, to remove the smell from the room (presumably after first throwing me out of it), you can just open a window or door, and let in the fresh air. Intuitively, the reason this doesn't leave a permanent stench outside, is because there's a lot more atmosphere outside than inside, thus diluting the smell so much it becomes unnoticeable.</p>

<p>But wait! There are billions of people on the planet, and life has existed on the planet for billions of years. And surely, most of the lifeforms that have existed here have made lots of bad smells, perhaps especially after they're dead. (And I sure don't think dogs smell good when they're alive either, for that matter.)</p>

<p>And yet, we call the air fresh, for the most part. So I suppose that, over time, the bad smells must have been destroyed or absorbed somewhere, and now I'm curious as to where. Would you have any ideas?</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2018-02-17T01:09:14.060Z
This is the best question ever asked on this site
Gimelist
<atmosphere><air-pollution><air>
Where do bad smells eventually go?
Ove
# Where do bad smells eventually go?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2018-02-16)

Suppose that I haven't taken a shower for a while, or haven't disposed of my trash, or something, and the room I've been in now stinks. Then, to remove the smell from the room (presumably after first throwing me out of it), you can just open a window or door, and let in the fresh air. Intuitively, the reason this doesn't leave a permanent stench outside, is because there's a lot more atmosphere outside than inside, thus diluting the smell so much it becomes unnoticeable.

But wait! There are billions of people on the planet, and life has existed on the planet for billions of years. And surely, most of the lifeforms that have existed here have made lots of bad smells, perhaps especially after they're dead. (And I sure don't think dogs smell good when they're alive either, for that matter.)

And yet, we call the air fresh, for the most part. So I suppose that, over time, the bad smells must have been destroyed or absorbed somewhere, and now I'm curious as to where. Would you have any ideas?

**Tags:** atmosphere, air-pollution, air

> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: This is the best question ever asked on this site  

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## 1 answers

### Answer by username_2 on 2018-02-16. Score: 17 | Accepted answer

If you are smelling something, you are inhaling gases, particles, or a combination of the two. They don't normally build up in the atmosphere because of three reasons: transport/dilution (which you mentioned), **chemistry**, and **deposition**. Yes there is plenty of fresh air out there but as you say, over billions of years there would be a lot of accumulation of odorous compounds if it weren't going somewhere. Though, stinky air does get trapped near the ground sometimes during stagnation events, caused by a temperature inversion close to the surface which prevents mixing with the upper air.

Atmospheric chemistry usually involves the hydroxyl radical (OH) in some way. Rapid chemical conversions of gases often depends on OH, which is cycling and replenished thanks to the abundance of oxygen and water vapor in the atmosphere. Many gaseous pollutants will go through a series of chemical reactions with OH, other chemicals, and/or sunlight. They are then converted to simpler chemicals that we don't really smell. Most odorous pollutants are chemically converted quickly (e.g. hours, days). Some pollutants do take years to convert (e.g. methane) and so accumulate in the atmosphere. We don't smell them, though, because our ability to "smell" things is limited to organic compounds and other molecules like hydrogen sulfide and ammonia (see [here](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Odor#Physiology_of_smell)).

Deposition of air pollutants is dominated by precipitation, whereby rain can scavenge particles and chemically react with gases. The rain deposits the pollutants (usually in a modified form) onto the surface of the Earth. Dry deposition also occurs, especially with "sticky" compounds like ammonia. However, dry deposition is not nearly as efficient as wet deposition. Though, if particles are large enough, they will settle out of the atmosphere relatively quickly and deposit on the surface.

I suggest you read up a little on the topic [here](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Air_pollution) to get you more familiar with the different factors that affect air pollutants.

> **Comments:**
> **username_3**: Methane might not be the best example considering it is odorless.  
> **username_2**: Good point!  I'm trying to think of a long-lived pollutant that has an odor... any ideas?  
> **username_4**: @farrenthorpe Carbon monoxide?  
> **username_2**: @username_4 Carbon Monoxide does not have an odor that we can smell.  

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