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May 3, 2026
Readers reply: The Missouri tofu spill was ‘unforgettable’
The long-running series in which readers answer other readers’ questions on subjects ranging from trivial flights of fancy to profound scientific and philosophical concepts
TL;DR
- A tofu spill in Missouri resulted in a strong, unforgettable odor, leading to an insurance dispute.
- Readers shared experiences with various foul smells, including tanneries, rotting potatoes, and untreated cattle hides.
- Chemical compounds like ethanethiol and thioacetone were cited for their intensely offensive and even physically debilitating odors.
- Historical events like the Great Stink of 1858 in London, caused by the polluted River Thames, were mentioned.
- The smell of whaling stations and fishmongers' stock left to rot were also described as particularly unpleasant.