What is Natural Gas?
Natural gas is a combustible, colorless and odorless gas composed mainly of methane and other hydrocarbons. It is found both below ground and above ground in the form of gas wells, pipelines and storage tanks. Natural gas is an important source of energy, used for heating, cooking and electricity generation.
What Does Natural Gas Smell Like?
Natural gas has no smell of its own. However, an odorant known as mercaptan is added to natural gas to give it a distinctive smell. The smell has been compared to the odor of rotten eggs, sulfur or even skunk spray. This odorant helps alert people to a gas leak, so that it can be dealt with quickly and safely.
What Happens When You Smell Natural Gas?
If you smell the distinctive odor of mercaptan in your home, it could be a sign of a gas leak. If you do smell natural gas, it is important to take quick action. Open all windows and doors to ventilate the area, leave the house and call your gas company or a qualified technician. Do not attempt to re-light any pilot lights, turn off any electrical appliances or do anything else that may cause a spark.
