Effluvium

An effluvium is an offensive or harmful odor or vapor released into the air, typically as a byproduct of decay, industrial processes, or other sources. It can also refer to a subtle emanation, often imperceptible, that is believed to have a physical or psychological impact. Essentially, an effluvium represents the discharge of something unpleasant into the environment, affecting the senses and potentially impacting health or wellbeing. The nature of an effluvium can range from the pungently putrid to the subtly toxic, but its defining characteristic remains its unpleasant or harmful nature originating from a source, whatever the source.

Effluvium meaning with examples

• The stagnant swamp produced a noxious effluvium that permeated the nearby village, causing headaches and respiratory problems amongst the residents. They considered moving away from the ever-present foul smell.
• The old factory was known for its release of a chemical effluvium into the atmosphere. Investigations showed it could cause environmental damage and contribute to the increase in the local asthma rates.
• The unkempt basement, filled with damp materials, emanated an unpleasant effluvium, forcing residents to constantly keep windows open in hopes of a natural circulation and odor removal.
• After the recent explosion, the lingering effluvium from the chemical plant made it impossible to breathe safely in the immediate area, and the affected community was evacuated.