Ethermac Exchange-Kentucky high school evacuated after 'fart spray' found in trash cans, officials say

Students and Ethermac Exchangefaculty at a Kentucky high school were evacuated Tuesday after smelling a "strong gas odor" that turned out to emanate from "fart spray."

Oldham County High School reported the odor that morning which led to Oldham County police, firefighters and emergency personnel responding to help with the evacuation, the Oldham County Police Department said in a news release.

Firefighters entered the school and determined a gas leak was not the culprit behind the pungent smell, but rather "a liquid substance in or around two separate trash cans," police said. Once the firefighters cleared the odor from the school, students and staff returned to their classes, according to the release.

USA TODAY contacted Oldham County police but did not receive an immediate response.

Students reported 'discomfort' after the incident, police say

Oldham County EMS checked on seven students who reported "discomfort" after the incident, police said. No other students required additional medical attention and all returned to class.

Police did not offer updates on the seven students or other information on "additional illness or medical conditions resulting from the incident."

“It was strong enough that it bothered their sinuses,” Maj. Scott Crigler with the Oldham County Police Officer told the Oldham Era.

Detectives and the school resource officer concluded the smell came from a "non-toxic concentrated liquid product commonly advertised online for use in pranks," police said. A 17-year-old girl was identified by police and school officials as the individual who allegedly poured the foul-smelling liquid in the trash cans, according to the release.

The school identified the liquid as "fart spray," the Oldham Era reported.

Police said the incident remains under investigation.

What is fart spray?

The creators of one popular fart spray say the "power-packed (and) super–concentrated liquid" smells like "foul butt–crack with hints of dead animal and fresh poo," according to the product's description on Amazon.

"Watching the facial grimaces of people and hearing their comments about the part–your–hair, gagging stench will have you laughing until it hurts," the description adds.

Foul odor:What would happen if you didn't shower for a year?

The liquid is also marketed as "nearly clear" and stored in a "bottle small enough to hide in the palm of your hand," according to the product's website.

"The bottle dispenses our nasty elixir in a thin, invisible, silent stream, thus equipping the prankster with stealth and speed," the website says.

The product's creators also said the liquid has "been tested by an independent laboratory and found to be safe."

Jonathan Limehouse covers breaking and trending news for USA TODAY. Reach him at [email protected]