Advertisement

Soil chemical geosmin blamed for Louisville's musty odor

The Louisville Metro Air Pollution Control District said geosmin is a naturally occurring chemical in the soil and does not pose a risk to residents.

By Ben Hooper
Subscribe | UPI Odd Newsletter

LOUISVILLE, Ky., March 3 (UPI) -- Officials in Louisville, Ky., said a musty smell reported by residents across the city is believed to have been caused by a chemical in the soil.

Louisville Metro Air Pollution Control District and the Louisville Water Company announced Monday the investigation into the smell reported all around the city determined the most likely cause is a naturally occurring chemical called geosmin.

Advertisement

Tom Nord, spokesman for the air pollution control district, said geosmin has a very low odor threshold and was "exacerbated by the wet, muddy conditions in the wake of the recent snowfall and rain."

Nord said the chemical is not toxic and does not pose any health risks to residents.

"The snow and then we have the thaw, and then we had the re-freeze and then we had the thaw. And that's kind of what triggers it. So, that's kind of been the common denominator order," Nord told WAVE-TV.

Water company spokeswoman Kelley Dearing Smith said geosmin was previously blamed for unusual odors and tastes in the city's drinking water. She said there are not currently any issues with the water.

Advertisement

The city said it has received dozens of complaints about the odor in recent weeks. Some residents complained of smelling the odor outside the city in the nearby Shelbyville-Hurstbourne area.

Latest Headlines