Should I be worried about rotten egg smell?

Author: Eunice Tromp  |  Last update: Friday, April 4, 2025

The smell of rotten eggs is instantly recognizable and can be an indicator of a serious problem in your home. The two most common sources of a rotten egg smell are a natural gas leak, and escaping sewer gas. In its natural state, natural gas is actually odorless.

Should I leave my house if I smell rotten eggs?

If you do notice that "rotten egg" smell and suspect a natural gas leak, do not try to find the source of the leak yourself, but leave the building or area and call the 24-hour emergency Peoples number at 1-800-400-4271, or call your local emergency response number.

What disease causes rotten egg smell?

Serious liver disease can make breath smell musty or like garlic and rotten eggs. Compounds that are transported through the blood can also be released through your sweat glands. That can make your armpits and skin smell bad. It's normal for stress to cause smelly compounds to be released through your sweat.

Does rotten egg smell mean carbon monoxide?

Carbon monoxide gas is odorless—it cannot be smelled. Some myths surround ways to detect carbon monoxide, such as identifying the strong scent of rotten eggs. However, never ignore the “rotten egg” smell of natural gas.

Can the smell of a rotten egg make you sick?

Hydrogen sulfide is a colorless gas that has a characteristic foul odor of rotten eggs. At low concentrations, it can cause irritation of the eyes, nose, and throat, and at higher concentrations, it can lead to more severe health effects, including respiratory distress, loss of consciousness, and even death.

That Rotten Egg Smell Isn't What You Think

Is rotten egg smell an emergency?

We consider all of the below a gas emergency: You smell an odor similar to sulfur or rotten eggs. There is abnormal pressure (high/low flame) or no gas in all your gas appliances. Gas to an appliance or heating unit stays on and cannot be shut off.

How long does it take to get sick from a rotten egg?

Risks of Eating Bad Eggs

Coli that lead to severe illness. If an egg is bad, symptoms of illness appear within six to 48 hours and may include: Diarrhea. Stomach pain and cramps.

What happens if you randomly smell rotten eggs?

If you detect a faint smell of rotten eggs on occasion, you may have a leak of sewer gas, which contains toxic elements including hydrogen sulfide and methane. Often the source of sewer gas is a bathroom that isn't used very often.

Who to call for sewer gas smell?

Sewer gas produces a very distinct rotten egg smell, caused when organic materials break down and decompose to form hydrogen sulfide. If you're unsure about the smell coming from your drains or sewers, call a licensed plumber who can perform an inspection or clear and clean blockages.

What are two warning signs of carbon monoxide poisoning?

The most common symptoms of CO poisoning are headache, dizziness, weakness, upset stomach, vomiting, chest pain, and confusion. CO symptoms are often described as “flu-like.” If you breathe in a lot of CO, it can make you pass out or kill you.

What stomach virus smells like rotten eggs?

Symptoms of giardiasis

smelly diarrhoea. tummy pain or cramps. farting (flatulence) smelly burps – they may smell like eggs.

Why does my insides smell like rotten eggs?

The rotten egg smell is due to hydrogen sulfide, a sulfur-containing gas made when your gut bacteria break down foods containing sulfur like broccoli, meat, and dairy. What can I eat to stop smelly gas? No foods will stop smelly gas, but avoiding the foods that cause it for you will help.

How to get rid of hydrogen sulfide in body?

Nitrite therapy (found in the cyanide antidote kit) has been suggested as a therapy for hydrogen sulfide exposure. Amyl nitrite is given by inhalation (for 30 seconds every minute until an intravenous line is established) followed by intravenous sodium nitrite (300 mg over absolutely no less than 5 minutes).

Why does my house smell like rotten eggs but I don't have gas?

Sewer Gas. Broken drain pipes can cause sewer gasses to seep into the interior or exterior of your home if the pipe that's broken is in the yard. Apart from broken pipes, clogged pipes can result in this smell as well. If you suspect this is the reason behind the sulfur smell, contact your nearest plumber.

How to figure out where a bad smell is coming from?

If odors seem to be emanating from this part of your home, check the following locations:
  1. Trash Cans. Under counter trash cans are a frequent source of odors. ...
  2. Ovens. Baked-on foods in your oven can cause burning or smoking odors when your oven is in use. ...
  3. Cooktops and Hoods. ...
  4. Disposals. ...
  5. Dishwashers. ...
  6. Refrigerators. ...
  7. Cabinets.

Who do I call if I smell rotten eggs in my house?

This is serious, so take three seconds to get over the initial shock and call your utility company or the fire department immediately. The smell could be coming from any number of things including a gas line issue with your stove, your furnace, or your water heater.

Is it safe to sleep in a house with sewer gas?

In extremely high concentrations, hydrogen sulfide can cause loss of consciousness and death. Suffocation: High concentrations of methane in enclosed areas decrease the amount of oxygen in the air and can cause suffocation. Symptoms of a lack of oxygen include: Dizziness.

How much does it cost to fix sewer gas?

Most homeowners end up paying around $150 per linear foot. Since the average cost for replacing a sewer line is between $1,300 and $4,900, this means the average length of repairs is between nine and 33 linear feet.

How do I test my house for sewer gas?

This can be accomplished with a sewer gas leak detector, or sometimes referred to as simply a gas leak detector. Other methods include calling in a plumber and he will undertake a smoke test to assess where, exactly, the leak may be in the pipes and also undertake a acoustic leak test.

Does rotten egg smell always mean gas leak?

The smell of rotten eggs is a deliberate safety measure to alert homeowners like you to potential gas leaks. If you ever smell this in your home, it's a clear signal to leave the house immediately and investigate further, as it could indicate a gas leak.

How to get rid of rotten egg smell in house?

If you have rotten egg smell in kitchen but not from other taps, this can be from bio-films in your pipes. If the cold water coming in from well has no odor but you do smell it from cold water fixtures in the house, you can often get rid of this by using chlorine bleach.

How to fix sewer gas smell?

Regularly clean your drains using a mixture of baking soda and vinegar or a cleaning solution recommended by a professional. Flush the drains with hot water to help remove any residual odor-causing substances.

Is rotten egg smell harmful?

Hydrogen sulfide has a characteristic rotten egg smell which can be detected at very low levels, well below those that are known to cause health effects. Smelling hydrogen sulfide does not mean that it will harm your health.

What poisoning has a rotten egg smell?

Hydrogen sulfide has a distinctive odor of rotten eggs at low concentrations of 0.01 to 0.03 ppm, which is an excellent warning sign. However, at higher and more dangerous concentrations of around 100 ppm, neurotoxicity occurs with olfactory paralysis, and this warning signal of pending toxicity is lost.

How long does egg poisoning take to kick in?

Symptoms usually begin 6 hours to 6 days after infection and last 4 to 7 days. Most people recover without antibiotic treatment. Antibiotics are needed only for patients who are very ill or at risk of becoming very ill. People who have diarrhea should drink extra fluids.

Previous article
How to tell if a foundation crack is serious?
Next article
Should I turn off the AC if it is not working?