Anti-Gravity: O Mercaptan, My Mercaptan; May 2011; Scientific American Magazine; by Steve Mirsky; 1 Page(s)

Friday, February 25, 2011: A date which will live in odiferous infamy. At least at my house.

All seemed well that morning when the rains came. I was warm and dry and didn’t need to leave the comfort of home. But that comfort swiftly departed. First, I heard the glug glug glug. Then I picked up a whiff both faint and foul. Something was entering the bathroom that should only exit the bathroom—raw sewage was reversing its natural course and fighting its way back into my house.