The Tacoma Aroma Mystery: What's That Smell?

The Tacoma Aroma is the nickname given to the unpleasant smell of rotten eggs that has been associated with Tacoma, Washington, since the 1940s. The odor is believed to originate from a combination of industrial sources, including paper mills, a smelter, a rendering plant, and an oil refinery, all located in the Tacoma Tideflats area. While the smell is not noticeable throughout the city, it has been a source of jokes and has even impacted housing prices in Tacoma.

The 'aroma' is a putrid smell like rotten eggs

The "Aroma of Tacoma", also known as the Tacoma Aroma, is a putrid smell like rotten eggs. The unpleasant odour has been associated with Tacoma, Washington, United States, since at least the early 1940s. While the smell is not noticeable throughout the city, it is concentrated in the Tacoma Tideflats and is often detected by motorists on that section of Interstate 5.

The stench has been attributed to various sources, including the WestRock paper mill, which closed in September 2023, the U.S. Oil refinery, a rendering plant, and the Simpson Tacoma Kraft pulp and paper mill. The pulp mill, in particular, has been identified as the main culprit by many residents. The mill's operations, involving the production of paper products like kraft paper and bleached pulp, likely contributed to the noxious fumes.

The odour has had tangible impacts on Tacoma. In 1985, Bruce Springsteen was forced to leave town early due to the overwhelming stench during a concert at the Tacoma Dome. The Aroma of Tacoma has also been cited as a factor in depressing housing prices in the city. Additionally, it has inspired creative endeavours like a novelty song, "The Aroma of Tacoma," by Jim Torrence and Don Lemon, and a rugby tournament named after the odour.

Over the years, Tacoma has made efforts to mitigate the odour. By the early 2000s, the installation of new combustion technologies at the Tacoma Kraft pulp and paper mill helped reduce, but not eliminate, the smell. The closure of the WestRock paper mill in 2023 further contributed to the decrease in the odour. While the aroma has lessened, it continues to linger in Tacoma, leaving a lasting impression on residents and visitors alike.

It's associated with Tacoma, Washington

The "Aroma of Tacoma", also known as the Tacoma Aroma, is a putrid and unpleasant odour associated with Tacoma, Washington, United States. The smell has been compared to that of rotten eggs and has been noticeable to motorists travelling on Interstate 5. The odour is not pervasive throughout the city but is concentrated in the Tacoma Tideflats.

The nickname "Aroma of Tacoma" dates back to at least the early 1940s, with the word "aroma" being associated with Tacoma as early as 1901 when a local resident, George Francis Train, penned a civic cheer:

> Seattle! Seattle! Death Rattle, Death Rattle; Tacoma! Tacoma! Aroma, Aroma!

The odour has been attributed to various industrial sources, including the WestRock paper mill, which closed in September/October 2023 after 94 years of operation, the Simpson Tacoma Kraft pulp and paper mill, a rendering plant, the U.S. Oil refinery, and sediment in Commencement Bay. The paper mill is particularly associated with the odour, with complaints about the mill's role in creating the stench dating back to the 1930s.

The "Aroma of Tacoma" has had cultural and economic impacts on the city. It has been referenced in popular culture, including a novelty song by Diamond Jim and the Jazzmasters in the 1960s and a Frank Zappa song in 1979. It has also been cited as a reason for jokes about Tacoma by residents of nearby areas and has contributed to a long-term depression of housing prices in the city.

The stench is caused by paper/pulp mills

The "Aroma of Tacoma", also known as the "Tacoma Aroma", is a putrid and unpleasant odour associated with Tacoma, Washington, United States. The stench has been described as similar to the odour of rotten eggs and is particularly noticeable to motorists travelling along Interstate 5. The paper mill, Simpson Tacoma Kraft, has been identified as the leading cause of the "Tacoma Aroma". The process of breaking down wood into paper pulp results in unpleasant odours that waft through the city.

The paper mill has been a part of Tacoma's logging industry since 1929. In 1998, mill officials confirmed that they used wood chips filled with chemicals to produce paper foam containers. While it is difficult to confirm, it is likely that these chemicals contributed to the "Tacoma Aroma". The mill was also found to be emitting airborne chemicals that decreased lung function, according to a lung specialist.

In the 1990s, the Simpson Tacoma Kraft pulp and paper mill took steps to reduce its noxious emissions by upgrading its facilities. This resulted in a significant reduction in air pollution, as confirmed by state and federal officials. However, the odour persisted, albeit at a lesser intensity. The closure of the mill in September 2023 may have further reduced the odour, but it is not the only factor impacting the local community. The mill's closure also resulted in the loss of about 400 jobs and a significant decrease in the city's revenue and infrastructure problems.

The "Tacoma Aroma" has had a significant impact on the city. It has been the subject of jokes and has contributed to a long-term depression of housing prices. It has also inspired creative endeavours, such as a song and a rugby tournament named after the phenomenon.

The smell is noticeable on the Tacoma Tideflats

The "Aroma of Tacoma" is a putrid and unpleasant odour associated with Tacoma, Washington, United States. The smell is not noticeable throughout the city but is concentrated in the Tacoma Tideflats, where it is frequently noticed by motorists travelling on Interstate 5. The stench has been described as similar to the smell of rotten eggs, and is thought to be caused by a combination of factors, including sediment in Commencement Bay, sulphur released from the Simpson Tacoma Kraft pulp and paper mill, a rendering plant, and the U.S. Oil refinery.

The odour has been known by the name "Aroma of Tacoma" since at least the 1940s, but there are references to the word "aroma" being associated with Tacoma dating back to 1901. Over the years, the noxious fumes have been the subject of jokes, songs, and even a rugby tournament named after the smell. The Aroma of Tacoma has also had serious impacts, with research suggesting it contributed to a long-term depression of housing prices in the city.

The paper mill, located at the mouth of the Puyallup River, is often cited as the main source of the odour. As early as the 1930s, people were complaining about the foul stench emanating from the mill. While the smell has lessened in recent decades, particularly after a nearby smelter closed in the 1980s, it has not been eliminated. In 2023, the mill's owner, WestRock, announced it would be closing the facility, raising hopes among residents that the notorious Tacoma Aroma would finally disappear.

While the exact source of the Tacoma Aroma may be difficult to pinpoint, it is clear that the odour has been a defining feature of the city for decades. The smell has permeated the lives of residents and visitors alike, and its impact on Tacoma's reputation and economy cannot be overlooked.

It's been around since at least the 1940s

The "Aroma of Tacoma", also known as the Tacoma Aroma, is a putrid and unpleasant odour that has been associated with Tacoma, Washington, United States, since at least the early 1940s. The smell has been described as similar to rotten eggs and is particularly noticeable to motorists travelling along Interstate 5. While it is not pervasive throughout the city, the odour is concentrated in the Tacoma Tideflats area.

The nickname "Aroma of Tacoma" is longstanding, dating back to at least the 1940s, but there are even earlier instances of the word "aroma" being linked with Tacoma. In 1901, local resident George Francis Train penned a civic cheer that included the phrase "Tacoma! Tacoma! Aroma, Aroma!". This early usage, however, does not appear to be directly connected to the unpleasant odour that would later characterise the city.

The odour's origin has been attributed to various industrial sources in the area, including the Simpson Tacoma Kraft pulp and paper mill, a rendering plant, the U.S. Oil refinery, and sediment in Commencement Bay. The paper mill, in particular, has been singled out as the main culprit by many residents. The mill, located at the mouth of the Puyallup River, has been in operation since 1929, and over the decades, it became well-known for its putrid smell.

The Tacoma Aroma has had a tangible impact on the city. It has been the subject of jokes and has contributed to a long-term depression of housing prices in Tacoma. The odour was so notorious that it was referenced in popular culture, such as in a 1979 song by Frank Zappa and a 1960s novelty single by Diamond Jim and the Jazzmasters.

While the odour has lessened over the years, particularly after the paper mill installed new combustion technologies in the early 2000s, it has not been completely eliminated. In recent years, with the closure of the WestRock paper mill in 2023, the aroma has begun to fade, and the city is now poised to embrace new opportunities in the green energy sector.

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