Scent forecast: musty with a hint of wet soil and thunder

SCIENTISTS have bottled the distinctive aroma of thunderstorms and say it could become the new pine, fragrancing home products, body washes and perfumes.

The compounds responsible for the smell that often precedes summer storms and lingers in their aftermath has been isolated for the first time.

Tim Whiteley, research and development director at British fragrance firm CPL Aromas, said they took samples before and after thunderstorms in the village of Hatfield Broad Oak, Essex, and in New York to identify what was responsible for the smell, a musty fragrance with hints of freshly cut grass and wet soil.

Mr Whiteley said customers had asked about thunderstorm-scented perfume, while others wanted the smell for body wash or shower gel.

The researchers used a technique called “thermal desorption head space analysis” to collect air samples which were then vaporised by rapidly heating to more than 572F (300C) so the components could be analysed.

Tests found a substance called geosmin – which is produced by bacteria found in soil – was present in much higher levels than on dry days. “It has a real earthy character and in its neat form it can be a little bit like sewage,” said Mr Whiteley. “But at a low level it gives you a real smell of wet soil.”

Last year a businessman started selling jars of British “fresh air”, collected in the countryside, to wealthy consumers in polluted Chinese cities like Shanghai and Beijing for £80 each.

Scientists claim to have bottled the fresh, earthy scent that prevails before and after a summer thunderstorm. Air samples collected in Essex among other places were vaporised to release the compounds responsible for the familiar fragrance.

This aroma has been identified for many years and was given the name petrichor in 1964 by Australian researchers. The latest analysis tried to unlock the compounds released by plants and grasses after thunderstorms. This can be bottled and added to shampoos, body washes and detergents to give that sense of wellbeing present after the passing of the rain.

There must be market for it. After all, people pay substantial sums for bottled mountain air. Eau de Lightning, anyone?