Odorization

If natural gas is odorless, then what gives natural gas that rotten egg smell?  Well, your natural gas operator adds that smell to the natural gas before delivering it to your residence.  The odor is added by injecting a chemical called mercaptan into the natural gas.  Leaking natural gas is dangerous.  It can cause a fire or explosion.  Natural gas operators add this chemical so you are able detect the presence of natural gas in the event of a leak.  Click here to find out more about detecting gas leaks and what to do in the event of a leak.

Legislation requiring the odorization of natural gas was enacted due to a tragic school explosion in New London Texas on March 18, 1937.  Click here to read more about the New London Texas School explosion.