Gas odors
In its natural state, natural gas is odorless, colorless, non-toxic and lighter than air (rises). To make it easy to detect leaks, we add a harmless chemical, mercaptan, which smells like sulfur, or rotten eggs. Other warnings of a gas leak may be dirt blowing, rising bubbles in a puddle, or a hissing sound.
To learn what natural gas smells like, let family members smell natural gas by briefly turning on an unlit burner.
What to do if you smell a natural gas odor or suspect a leak:
- Alert everyone, and leave the building immediately.
- Do not use phones, turn any electric switches on/off or use other electrically operated devices that could cause a spark.
- Do not smoke. Avoid all open flames.
- Use a neighbor's phone. Call 911, then call PSE Customer Service 24 hours a day at 1.888.225.5773.
- Do not attempt to put out fires if a natural gas leak ignites.