It typically smells like rotten eggs, sulfur, or burnt garlic This distinct odor comes from a chemical called mercaptan, added to natural gas for safety reasons Recognizing this smell can be the first crucial step in preventing fires, explosions, or serious health hazards. That’s because the federal government mandates utilities to add a chemical (typically mercaptan or methanethiol) to natural gas, a process called odorization According to gary worland of natural gas specialists, “because natural gas is odorless, there are various types of odorants that a. Kub adding the rotten smell to natural gas is very beneficial as it helps residents recognize a potential leak
We do put an odor in our natural gas lines, she said. The smell of gas is probably the first thing that comes to mind when you think about gas leaks It’s the most common and easily recognizable warning sign You’ve likely heard it described as a rotten egg smell Many people wonder if a gas leak smells like skunk The truth is, natural gas often has a distinct odorant added to it that resembles the smell of skunks
Natural gas is inherently odorless, so gas companies add mercaptan to it, giving it a distinctive smell akin to skunk spray.
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