If it smelled like methyl mercaptan, it probably was methyl mercaptan. It's added to natural gas to make it stink, as a safety measure. Consequently, most people associate the odor with a gas leak. The smell of swamp gas from permafrost, while disagreeable, does not resemble methyl mercaptan, even though it contains some.
Humans are capable of detecting this nasty stuff in the parts per trillion range. I suspect there was an accident or a prank in NYC. A couple of small tanks of this stuff spread properly could stink up the whole damn city. I speak from experience.(Don't ask.) Ethyl mercaptan, with a similar odor is a liquid and would be more easily handled by the prank-minded individual ;) M. _______________________________________________ Join Excite! - http://www.excite.com The most personalized portal on the Web!
