What does carbon monoxide smell like?

Sometimes people describe that they "noticed a carbon monoxide smell."

Although there could have been carbon monoxide in the air they were breathing and smelling, carbon monoxide does not smell in and of itself.

Carbon monoxide is odorless, colorless, tasteless, non-irritating and toxic.

Carbon monoxide is formed by the incomplete combustion (burning) of materials containing carbon and can be produced by virtually anything that burns.

Combustion also produces heat, smoke, and number of other elements.

In addition to carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, sulfur dioxide, particulates, and other toxins are also produced during combustion. It is these elements that may smell like smoke, smell like gas, or give off other smells when they burn.

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