Could you die from odor?

Question

If someone were locked in a room that was constantly filled with horrible odors is it possible they would die? I'm not talking about toxic gases, just foul odors.

Answer 1

Nope, your nervous system will eventually "accomdate" to the odor. Its the principle by which you dont smell whats right under your nose all the time (like yourself) so your nervous system can be aware of changes in the enviorment (like say, the faint smell of smoke)

Answer 2

It sort of depends on what's causing the odor, and if you were exposed to only the smell or what caused it. If you had to be in with the bacteria that were causing it, then they would make you sick- but not the smell, no. Smell is usually what keeps you at a safe distance from the dangerous stuff. But smell alone won't hurt you, just annoy you or make you want to ralph. Now that might just do you in, if you vomited too much from the smell. But it would be a problem due to the vomiting. Fortunately, no matter how bad a smell is, if you smell it for long enough, the brain will turn it off for you. Phenomena called supression, it's why you don't smell yourself as a rule, and why some ladies overwhelm you with their perfume. They have worn so much for so long, it's hard for them to actually smell it anymore. The same principle works for bad smells as well. That's the only way sewer workers could stand to keep their jobs. They just quit smelling it after a while.

Answer 3

No you wouldnt die from the odour if not toxic, you would die from thirst and hunger if in there for too long, you probably would only want to drink water and not eat food if the odour was too bad, if my husband lets off gas I sure am put off my food!

Answer 4

most foul order has to be some how toxic because it being foul smelling to you is a way of your body saying you shouldn't be inhaling this so maybe you could if you were there long enough

Answer 5

yes, i had an experience working with a scientist lecture from NASA and he said if the astronauts did not clean themselfves with alcohol towels the effect would be like living in a garbage can and the fumes could kill you..the garbage can would be sealed off like the space craft.

Answer 6

technically you can.If your mouth is gaged or taped closed as someone could be if they are being held captive,and you vomit because of an odor and choke on your vomit you would die of it.

Answer 7

Odors won't kill you unless they are signals that there is something toxic around, such as cigarette smoke.

Answer 8

no. u won't. u will slowly get used to it and even get turns on next time when u smell of it again. wonderful isn't it?

Answer 9

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/c/a/2004/10/04/MNG7C92LD61.DTL

Answer 10

No, not that I heard of