The smell inside a human anatomy lab in school is due to a preserving agent called Formaldehyde. Formaldehyde does not have a foul odor of decomposition; rather, it has a unique odor that lingers and may stick to your nostrils after you leave the school lab. Some individuals may also find that the formaldehyde may burn their eyes or nostrils while they are in close proximity to the agent. Additionally, the smell has been noted to 'linger' on clothes and hair after exiting the anatomy lab. (After exiting the gross anatomy lab, showering and sniffing potent scents such as coffee grounds seems to be a fantastic way to get rid of the lingering smell.)