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Press Release 06-164
The Smell of Money

Research suggests an absence of metallic chemicals in the strong metallic odors that result from people handling coins and other metals

Researchers have found that the molecules in "metallic" smells contain no metal.

Researchers have found that the molecules in "metallic" smells contain no metal.
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November 20, 2006

It's not hard to recall the pungent scent of a handful of pocket change. Similar smells emanate from a sweat-covered dumbbell or the water emerging from an old metal pipe. Yet no one has been able to identify the exact chemical cause of these familiar odors.

Now, researchers supported by a National Science Foundation (NSF) MUSES award and the UFZ Environmental Research Center in Germany have shown that these odor molecules come not from the penny or the pipes, but from metal-free chemicals erupting into the air when organic substances like sweat interact with the metallic objects.

The researchers--Andrea Dietrich, Dietmar Glindemann, Hans-Joachim Staerk and Peter Kuschk, all from Virginia Tech in Blacksburg--published their findings in the Oct. 20, 2006, Angewandte Chemie International Edition.

"We are the first to demonstrate that when humans describe the 'metallic' odor of iron metal, there are no iron atoms in the odors," said Dietrich. "The odors humans perceive as metallic are really a body odor produced by metals reacting with skin."

Because the makeup of byproduct molecules depends on which organic substances are reacting, the researchers believe the findings could help identify problem odors in potable water or aid doctors searching for disease markers in sweat or other body fluids.

The study, which focused mainly on the reactions of biological fluids with iron, also examined the scents emanating from iron in blood.

"We speculate that the 'blood scent' may result from skin reacting with ferrous iron because the same 'metallic' odor is produced if you rub blood on skin," said Dietrich.

One of the chemicals produced in the reaction is 1-octen-3-one, which has a mushroom-metallic smell and very low odor threshold, meaning that humans can smell it in extremely minute concentrations.

"This may have provided an evolutionary advantage that allowed early humans to track wounded comrades or prey," Dietrich added.

-NSF-

Media Contacts
Joshua A. Chamot, NSF (703) 292-7730 jchamot@nsf.gov
Karen Gilbert, Virginia Tech (540) 231-4787 karen.gilbert@vt.edu

Program Contacts
Matthew Realff, NSF (703) 292-7081 mrealff@nsf.gov

Principal Investigators
Andrea M. Dietrich, Virginia Tech (540) 231-5773 andread@vt.edu

Related Websites
Related Virginia Tech press release: http://www.vtnews.vt.edu/story.php?relyear=2006&itemno=611
Hyperlink to the Angewandte Chemie International Edition article: http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/cgi-bin/fulltext/113383440/HTMLSTART

The National Science Foundation (NSF) is an independent federal agency that supports fundamental research and education across all fields of science and engineering. In fiscal year (FY) 2009, its budget is $9.5 billion, which includes $3.0 billion provided through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. NSF funds reach all 50 states through grants to over 1,900 universities and institutions. Each year, NSF receives about 44,400 competitive requests for funding, and makes over 11,500 new funding awards. NSF also awards over $400 million in professional and service contracts yearly.

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Virginia Tech researcher Andrea Dietrich studies chemical reactions that affect water quality.
Virginia Tech researcher Andrea Dietrich studies chemical reactions that affect water quality.
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Pinar Omur-Ozbek of Virginia Tech helped conduct the metal-odor experiments.
Pinar Omur-Ozbek of Virginia Tech helped conduct the metal-odor experiments.
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Last Updated:
November 20, 2006
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Last Updated: November 20, 2006