The breakdown of a dead body and the accompanying odor can influence health. In particular, it may aggravate existing chronic conditions and suppress the immune system. This information comes from a cleaning professional who specializes in difficult situations, including after deaths, offering guidance for apartment cleanup.
According to the expert, decomposition is driven by aerobic bacteria. The smell that worries people most is the mix of gases released during decomposition, such as hydrogen sulfide, ammonia, and mercaptans. These substances are linked to weakened immune defenses and flare-ups of chronic illnesses.
Headaches and a general sense of malaise are among the symptoms reported by residents exposed to these odors. The consultant described a real case where neighbors in a building experienced persistent headaches and eventually had to relocate due to the odor intensifying over time.
He noted that the gas mixture and the harmful vapors can seep into living spaces below, potentially affecting the well-being of occupants over multiple floors.
The specialist also cautioned that similar health effects can occur if an animal dies inside a dwelling, leaving behind a persistent odor and toxic emissions.
Earlier reports from Volgograd described a home saturated with a rotten smell after the death of a person in the apartment, with the odor lingering for several days beyond the initial event.