Definition

Methyl mercaptan (CH3SH), also known as methanethiol, is a colourless, highly flammable, toxic gas with a distinct, strong unpleasant odour. Moreover, its odour can be described as that of rotten cabbage or garlic. The microbial degradation of organic matter releases methyl mercaptan. As a result, prolonged exposure to CH3SH can quickly deaden a person’s sense of smell, making the odour of methyl mercaptan an unreliable indicator of its presence.