What chemical compounds are emitted by halitosis sufferers?

[Mangetout]

Last night, I found myself in close proximity to someone with quite the worst case of halitosis I’ve ever experienced - we’re talking weapons-grade stinky breath here. I was unable to move away, as this was at a theatrical performance.

The person in question was seated directly in front of me, so they were not breathing onto me, however, the smell was overpowering and pervasive. When I went home, I could still smell it on my clothes, skin and hair - I thought maybe I was imagining this, but my kids (who did not go with me) informed me that I smelled bad. Worse, when I cleared my throat, I could tell that the odour had found its way in there too - it washed off my skin and hair quite easily and my clothes mostly went in the wash, but I can still smell it on my coat, which I think will have to be dry cleaned.

So what sorts of chemical compounds are responsible for this smell - a smell that almost became a palpable film on exposed objects? I’m guessing sulphur is in there somewhere.

[bouv]

I think they’re mostly sulfur compounds.

[bbs2k]

I got this from the wikipedia entry:

The most common location for mouth-related halitosis is the tongue. Large quantities of naturally-occurring bacteria are often found on the posterior dorsum of the tongue, where they are relatively undisturbed by normal activity. This part of the tongue is relatively dry and poorly cleansed, and bacterial populations can thrive on remnants of food deposits, dead epithelial cells and postnasal drip. The convoluted microbial structure of the tongue dorsum provides an ideal habitat for anaerobic bacteria, which flourish under a continually-forming tongue coating of food debris, dead cells, postnasal drip and overlying bacteria, living and dead. When left on the tongue, the anaerobic respiration of such bacteria can yield either the putrescent smell of indole, skatole, polyamines, or the “rotten egg” smell of volatile sulfur compounds (VSCs) such as hydrogen sulfide, methyl mercaptan and dimethyl sulfide.

I know it’s just wiki, but nothing jumped out at me as incorrect from my microbiology and chemistry classes from a handfull of years ago. Would you like a link to my recent contribution to Dope regarding foul smelling genitalia? :eek:

[Mangetout]

I’ll pass on your generous link offer, but thanks for the other info.

Are any of these chemicals capable of temporarily binding to, or infusing fabrics, skin, hair?