Ethanethiol is primarily used as an odorant for natural gas and propane to provide a detectable smell, ensuring safety by alerting individuals to leaks. It is also employed in the synthesis of pesticides and as an intermediate in the production of certain pharmaceuticals. In the petroleum industry, it serves as a scavenger for mercury and other heavy metals. Additionally, ethanethiol is utilized in organic chemistry research for the introduction of thiol groups into molecules. Its strong, distinctive odor makes it valuable in trace analysis and as a warning agent in various industrial processes.