👉 Egg fumes, also known as "egg odor" or "eggshell scent," are a common household nuisance caused by volatile compounds released when eggs are broken or exposed to air. These compounds, primarily sulfur-containing molecules like dimethyl sulfide and methyl mercaptan, give the smell a distinctive, unpleasant odor often described as rotten egg-like. The intensity of the fumes can vary based on factors like the age and freshness of the eggs, the surface area exposed to air, and the method of breaking them—cracked eggs tend to produce more potent odors than whole ones. While generally harmless in small amounts, prolonged exposure can be irritating to some people's noses.