why the semiconductor industry was born in the Satan Clara Valley. Most would say that it was cheap land and a ready talent pool thanks to nearby Stanford U. but the whole place once smelled of rotten eggs probably from well water used in agriculture. No one would have noticed a little added sulfurous emissions from the nascent chip works.

It always feels good to know one remembers stuff from 35 years back. In this case, hydrogen sulfide dissolved in water is called hydrosulfuric acid.

Sulfurous acid would be sulfur dioxide in water while sulfuric acid would be sulfur trioxide in water.

Sulfur dioxide would smell of burning sulfur.

Of the three, only sulfuric acid is not stinky and is the real acid if you ask any self-respecting chemist.

Only a chemist would appreciate the "sulfurous" comment. For the unwashed masses, the article sounds pretty good. But for those of use with a bit more scientific background, i.e. a degree in Biophysics, the comments rings much more true. Albeit, most people don't care one way or the other, thanks for advancing scientific thought on the internet.

I live in the Awhatukee area which is just west of Chandler. Everytime I make a 5 minute drive over to the Chandler mall, I smell something foul. I can vouch for the putrid odor.

Rotten egg smell means hydrogen sulfide, which is poisonous. "Sulphuric" is an acceptable adjective but because of its connotation of high oxidation state "sulfurous" is better in this context.