Stink bomb

A stink bomb is a device designed to create an unpleasant smell. They range in effectiveness from simple pranks to military grade chemical agents.

At one end of the spectrum, relatively harmless stink bombs consist of ammonium sulfide, which smells strongly of rotten eggs. When opened or broken, the ammonium sulphide fumes are released.

At the other end of the spectrum, The governments of Israel and the United States of America are developing stink bombs for use by their law enforcement agencies and militaries as riot control and area denial weapons. Using stink bombs for these purposes have advantages over traditional riot control agents: unlike pepper spray and tear gas, stink bombs are believed not to be dangerous, and they are effective at low concentrations.

The most effective stink bombs are those that contain a mixture of several stenches of biological origins. The biological odors used – vomit, human waste, body odors, burnt hair, and rotting garbage – are found universally revolting by people of all cultures. A mixture of various odors is more effective over time than a single odor, because it is much easier to acclimate to individual smells; a mixture therefore lasts longer and offers a greater impact.

See also

• Chemical warfare
• Practical joke

References

• Trivedi , Bijal P. (January 7, 2002). U.S. Military Is Seeking Ultimate "Stink Bomb". National Geographic News
• McManners, Hugh. 18 (September 2004). Israelis invent stink bomb for riot control. The Independent