During my childhood, I once had a whoopee cushion, which I found amusing, although it did not elicit the same reaction from my very proper great aunt. After her stern rebuke at a Thanksgiving dinner, I never used the whoopee cushion again, and over time, I paid little attention to the comedic potential of fake fart sounds.
This week, however, I encountered an unusual incident involving Alexander Paul Robertson Lewis, a 32-year-old teaching assistant from South Carolina, who has been charged with a felony for using a spray purchased online that is designed to replicate the smell of fecal matter.
Is this an example of an overreaching government? Are we witnessing the criminalization of playful behavior? Do authorities struggle to appreciate humor? The situation is more complex than that.
The gas leak that wasn’t
Lewis was employed at West Florence High School in Florence County, where his role did not involve creating unpleasant smells. Yet, he is accused of consistently producing a foul odor within the school, leading to multiple students requiring medical assistance.
Initially, school officials suspected a gas leak, prompting the administration to notify parents about the limited use of gas in the building. They reassured them that all non-essential gas lines had been shut off to rule out any leaks.
To ensure safety, contractors inspected both gas lines and the school’s air quality, with tests conducted by both local utility companies and environmental consultants. Ultimately, these investigations failed to identify any potential hazards.
Over the following weeks, reports from students and parents flooded in, detailing health issues linked to the persistent smell. One student described how teachers reacting to the odor would often cover their mouths and cough in class. Another reported feeling lightheaded and dizzy due to the stench.
Parents expressed their concerns about possible carbon monoxide poisoning and asthma complications, taking their children for medical evaluations. One parent shared on social media that their daughter had to be rushed to the emergency room after losing consciousness.
At a school board meeting, a frustrated mother criticized the district for its lack of action regarding the ongoing smell, which she believed triggered her son’s asthma. She recounted how frequent doctor’s visits had become necessary due to his condition.
Despite extensive measures to uncover the odor, including inspections by various entities, the source remained elusive for several weeks.
Eventually, on September 20, authorities arrested Lewis for allegedly using the foul-smelling spray multiple times, leading to significant disruptions within the school community. The district, meanwhile, incurred approximately $55,000 in costs during its investigative efforts.
Such incidents, while rare, have precedents. In 2023, two individuals in San Antonio faced similar charges following a “senior prank” involving a similar spray that resulted in school evacuations and hospital visits for several affected students.
Safe stink?
An array of products that mimic unpleasant odors can be easily found online, often marketed as “non-toxic.” One product, “Wet Farts,” claims to be safe and effective, while simultaneously promising to unleash a pungent cloud of malodor.
However, even these supposedly harmless concoctions can trigger reactions in sensitive individuals, particularly those with asthma. Many products do not disclose their ingredient lists, although some provide Safety Data Sheets (SDS). To gain a clearer understanding, it’s worth comparing these sprays to more conventional stink bombs that typically contain ammonium sulfide or mercaptans.
Ammonium sulfide emits hydrogen sulfide, a gas reminiscent of rotten eggs, which can be irritating to the skin and respiratory tract. Stink bombs often incorporate mercaptans, which also contribute to unpleasant smells.
However, true fart sprays generally contain proprietary blends that can be challenging to assess. For instance, a popular product known as “Liquid Ass” consists mainly of water but also includes a blend of undisclosed natural ingredients. Exposure may lead to irritation, but the manufacturer claims it is safe in moderation.
Other options include a novelty item labeled the “Jue-Fish Toxic Bomb Super Fart!” which contains a variety of ingredients that the product description insists are very safe.
The formulation of these prank sprays varies widely, and the lack of regulatory oversight means that many products remain untested for safety in their final combinations. Even those labeled as “non-toxic” have the potential to cause issues for certain individuals.
As we await further developments in Lewis’s case, it is astonishing to consider how one person’s prank could lead to such widespread disruption. The teacher’s assistant currently awaits his next court date, free on a bond of $9,090.
