Officials say area gas companies changed suppliers over the weekend and an excessive amount of the odor additive Mercaptan was the issue.
In Painesville, Ohio, fire officials noted an increase in calls reporting natural gas odors both inside and outside buildings on Monday.
The Painesville City Fire Department shared on Facebook that Enbridge Gas and Northeast Ohio Natural Gas had recently changed suppliers, leading to an overabundance of the odor additive Mercaptan.
Typically, natural gas is odorless, but Mercaptan is added to give it a distinct rotten egg smell that helps in leak detection for safety purposes. An excess of Mercaptan has caused lingering odors when gas appliances are in use, the PCFD clarified.
Painesville fire leaders say both Enbridge Gas and Northeast Ohio Natural Gas will “respond to all calls about natural gas odors both inside and outside structures. PCFD will also respond to all calls of gas odors to make sure no hazards exist.”
Those who smell natural gas are encouraged to call 911 and advised then to “evacuate the building and wait for the fire department.”
For non-emergency questions or concerns, you can contact PCFD at 440-392-5848.
Similarly, the Chardon Fire Department posted on Facebook that “we are aware of gas-like odors in Geauga County. If you smell gas, or think you have a leak, contact your local fire department.”
