Residents in parts of Southend, Essex, have been forced to shut their windows because of a "vile smell" compared to "rotten eggs". People in Shoeburyness, a town forming part of the city of Southend, have reported foul odours over recent days, particularly along the seafront.
Residents complain about the smell
One resident posted on the Your Southend Facebook group: "It's been every evening. The smell is absolutely vile. I have to close my windows and doors because the smell is coming into the property." Another agreed, saying: "Shoebury has smelt like rotten eggs for 3 days!"
Possible causes
Residents put forward several possible explanations. Some attributed the stench to rotting seaweed. However, the Your Southend admin believes it is probably a combination of scorching weather, low tides and rotting seaweed. As the tide recedes, vast areas of mudflats are left exposed along the Thames Estuary. The mudflats contain bacteria that decompose seaweed, releasing hydrogen sulphide, a gas with a characteristic rotten egg smell. Recent consecutive heatwaves likely sped up the process.
This theory has been supported by experts. A Florida-based researcher examining seaweed blooms similar to those along Essex's coastline since 1973 told the Guardian that the odour from hydrogen sulphide is a "real issue" and "people need to take precautions if they're living in an area with those odours".
Health guidance and other theories
UK Government guidance states that extended exposure may cause "notable discomfort", while larger amounts could trigger headaches, bronchial constriction, fatigue and dizziness. Local resident Donna Young said: "There is loads of seaweed by the seawall near to The Garrison. I don't think I've ever seen so much." Residents say the odour occurs annually, with one describing it as "one of the downsides of living in a coastal area". He said: "It's been a natural phenomena at this time of year my whole lifetime, it's one downside to living in a coastal area. Normal seasonal odours and inconveniences of living outside of large towns and cities." Another added: "I assume it's due to the amount of sea weed at the moment, happens most years to be honest." Others suggested the stench could come from a seafood processing plant on the Towerfield Industrial Estate, claiming decomposing cockle shells may add to the smells in Shoebury.
