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What’s that smell? Mysterious odour in Vancouver sparks complaints on social media

If you smelled something unusual in the city of Vancouver today, May 7, you're not alone. Questions about a feces-like odour appeared on social media Monday, but the source remains a mystery.
that smell
Did you smell something unusual in Vancouver's air May 7? Photo Dan Toulgoet

If you smelled something unusual in the city of Vancouver today, May 7, you're not alone.

Questions about a feces-like odour appeared on social media Monday, but the source remains a mystery.

Greg Valou, who works in Metro Vancouver’s media relations department, told the Courier there weren't any calls about such a Vancouver-specific smell May 7.

“In our air quality system, we’re not reading any unusual readings throughout the network,”  he said. “I also checked in with our air quality complaints line. We haven’t been receiving any complaints that are consistent with this kind of information… like a fertilizer-ish smell in Vancouver.”

Valou encourages anyone who is smelling something unusual to call Metro Vancouver's air quality complaint line and provide detailed information about where they are located and what they’re smelling.

“That better enables us to figure out what’s going on because, at present, we don’t have any information,” he said.

The complaint line, where concerns can be logged about odour, dust or other air contaminants, is at 604-436-6777. Complaints can also be registered through Metro Vancouver's online complaint form here.

The following information will be collected:

  • your contact information
  • suspected source of emissions
  • description of emissions and how they're affecting you

noconnor@vancourier.com