What’s that smell?

Unexpected Elements

BBC

Science

4.4 • 566 Ratings

🗓️ 21 March 2025

⏱️ 50 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

Five years ago, people around the world were enduring COVID lockdowns as we attempted to prevent the spread of the virus. Today, many of those who caught COVID-19 are still suffering from lingering symptoms, including a loss of their sense of smell. And that got the Unexpected Elements team thinking about all things olfactory.

First up, hold your noses as we investigate the two chemicals that make up the scent of death.

Next, are you prone to telling lies? Well, research suggests that your nose might give you away!

We then turn our attention to the cinema to find out more about the chemicals you release during a scary film.

We’re also joined by chemist Professor Matija Strlic, who reveals how he can detect aromas in ancient Egyptian mummies and – crucially – tells us why he wants to do this.

That, plus many more Unexpected Elements.

Presenters: Marnie Chesterton, with Kai Kupferschmidt and Affelia Wibisono Producers: Alice Lipscombe-Southwell, with William Hornbrook, Debbie Kilbride, Imaan Moin and Noa Dowling

Transcript

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0:00.0	Oh, hello. You have chosen a BBC podcast, but before you listen to it, we thought you might
0:04.7	like our podcast too. You might. You might. It is called Sightracked with me, Nick Grimshaw.
0:09.2	And me, Annie Mack. And we talk about the week in music. All the news, all the cultural
0:14.0	happenings in the UK and beyond. And great guests. And it's on BBC Sounds. Yes, where you can
0:19.7	also enjoy lots of playlists, music mixes and
0:22.6	live radio, everything from my six music breakfast show to Radio 3 Unwind. But obviously start
0:29.2	with our podcast sidetrack. Obviously. Obviously. So if you like music, listen on BBC
0:33.7	Sounds. This weekend, a friend of mine brought me back an unusual treat, some chocolate-covered
0:43.4	durian sweets from a trip to Malaysia. For those unfamiliar, the durian is a fruit that,
0:50.4	thanks to its distinctly unpleasant odour, is widely banned on Southeast Asian public transport.
0:57.7	As we sat waiting for some British public transport, I thought,
1:02.2	surely this is the processed stuff. It's wrapped in both chocolate and plastic wrapping.
1:07.6	Surely it won't smell. I could tell I'd made a mistake as soon as I opened the main
1:13.3	bag and a whiff of compost bin and dog flatulents joined us at the bus stop. Undeterred,
1:20.4	we both attempted to eat one. I spat mine out. He went home to wash his mouth out and I'm sorry
1:27.4	to say that I abandoned the bag
1:29.2	of treats on a train because I hoped it would find a new owner who prized the taste over the smell.
1:36.3	I'm Marnie Chesterton from the BBC World Service. This is Unexpected Elements.
1:54.5	Music elements. As ever joining me for the science party is a panel of journalists from around the world.
1:59.9	Today I'm here with space scientist and
2:02.2	science communicator, Aphelia Webisono from Dublin, Ireland. Hello. Dear Gwich, how's it going?
2:08.1	And science writer Kai Kui Kupershmidt has been jet setting. Today, Kai, you're back on your old stomping
	...

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