Methyl mercaptanMethyl mercaptan is a colorless gas with a smell
like rotten cabbage. It is a natural substance found in the
blood, brain, and other tissues of people and animals. It is
released from animal feces. It occurs naturally in certain
foods, such as some nutss and cheese. The chemical formula for
methyl mercapatan is CH3SH. Methyl mercaptan is released from
decaying organic matter in marshes and is present in the natural
gas of certain regions in the United States, in coal tar, and in
some crude oils. It is manufactured for use in the plastics
industry, in pesticides, and as a jet fuel additive. It is also
released as a decay product of wood in pulp mills.