LORAIN COUNTY, Ohio — Columbia Gas of Ohio provided an updated statement Thursday amid ongoing concerns about natural gas odor in several parts of Northeast Ohio.
Stemming from the gas odor event in northeastern Ohio, we have been hearing concerns about the use of mercaptan in natural gas pipelines and its potential hazards. We understand there is a lot of misinformation circulating at this time and wanted to share some important information to help ease these concerns.
Mercaptan is an organic and naturally occurring compound. Because natural gas is odorless and colorless, utility companies add mercaptan as a safety measure to give natural gas its characteristic rotten egg odor. Federal regulations require natural gas companies to odorize natural gas. The amount of mercaptan added to natural gas is very small, but even a small amount of the compound can create a strong smell. The small amount of mercaptan in natural gas is not hazardous to human health.
3News asked a couple of follow-up questions to Columbia Gas about mercaptan after the release was sent. Answers from the company are in bold.
Does the increased levels of mercaptan cause any concern? Still a very small amount, no cause for concern as stated in the mercaptan statement.
A person in the affected area called when they smelled it in their home. A crew did come out, but they confirmed there was a small leak on the stove. If people smell it, should they still call the gas company to get it checked out? They should ALWAYS call us if they small the odor of gas. This aligns with our STOP.LEAVE.CALL messaging. If you smell gas in your home or business, Stop what you are doing, Leave the area, call Columbia Gas and 911. (in that order)
Many local fire departments are saying they are getting a 'massive increase' in calls. What kind of resources does Columbia Gas have to help answer these calls (how many crews are out checking, etc) We have crews helping from all over Ohio. I don’t have numbers for you but we are pulling all resources. This is our priority.
When do you expect the mercaptan levels to return to normal? That is still to be determined.
A text alert was sent to residents of Lorain County around noon Wednesday regarding a natural gas odor in parts of the area that has also been reported by residents across Northeast Ohio.
Here’s the alert: "A natural gas supplier added too much odorant to the system causing a natural gas odor without an actual leak. Contact 911 and your gas supplier for any odor."
So what does this mean for residents? Around 10 p.m. on Wednesday, Columbia Gas released an updated statement:
"We are continuing to respond to numerous gas odor calls in our Northeast Ohio service area. The odor is occurring due to an overabundance of an additive known as mercaptan having been added by an upstream supplier. Mercaptan is a harmless substance that makes it easier to detect natural gas.
"Although we have identified this odor source, it is important to contact us at 1-800-344-4077 if you believe you are smelling natural gas. For more information, go to https://www.columbiagasohio.com/safety/natural-gas-safety."
ASHLAND COUNTY
CUYAHOGA COUNTY
On Wednesday night, a Parma Fire Department spokesperson said the department has received "over 30 calls" regarding the smell.
"We caution residents that they will likely smell a gas odor in their homes even after using appliances," the department said in a news release. "We want to reassure the public that their appliances are most likely functioning properly. We also encourage residents to air out their homes following the use of a stove, oven or similar appliance."
Robert Bures, public information officer for the Parma Fire Department, had the following guidance for residents:
"What we're asking is that you open up the windows and you ventilate your home now if that smell does not go away in 20, 30, 40 minutes and you continue getting that smell even after all of your appliances are off, that would be when we're urging you to call the fire department, that would be the sign of a gas leak," Robert Bures said.
Bures said the department has received reports of residents using wrenches to turn off their gas meters or lines and urges against doing that, saying it's dangerous and could cause a gas leak.
LORAIN COUNTY
The Elyria Township Fire Department posted on social media that the department has been "experiencing an increase in natural gas odor calls" and shared the statement from Columbia Gas.
MEDINA COUNTY
"Please be advised that we are receiving numerous calls for an odor of gas inside residences," The Brunswick Hills Fire Department wrote on Facebook. "We are responding to the calls in the order in which they are received. If you smell and odor of gas, do not hesitate to call 911."
RICHLAND COUNTY
Meanwhile in Richland County, the Mansfield Fire Department says they have received "numerous calls reporting an odor of natural gas in businesses and residences" throughout the city.
Here's their statement:
"Our crews have responded to all of these incidents and used advanced metering devices to check for the presence of explosive gases. All checks have come back negative; however, the distinct odor of gas is present.
"We are currently in contact with representatives from Columbia Gas to determine potential causes for the odor.
"Mercaptan is an additive used in natural gas to give it a distinct smell. The presence of the smell does not necessarily mean there are dangerous levels of gas.
"If you smell an odor of gas, you can attempt to ventilate your home or business by opening windows or doors. If you have a concern, or are feeling ill, please call 911 and we will send a crew to check the gas levels."
The situation has also impacted Mansfield City Schools as the district announced that Spanish Immersion and Woodland Elementary are both closed.
The Lexington School District, also in Richland County, also shared the following updates concerning their students amid the situation...