That rotten egg smell could be a gas leak. What can you do to stay safe?

Evan Moore

Natural gas leaks happen nearly every day in the U.S. — and they can be deadly if they go undetected.

A report from a group of Texas environmental nonprofits released in June found around 2,600 reported gas leaks from 2010-2021 in the U.S. pipeline system resulting in serious injury or death — about one every 40 hours.

In a tweet on Thursday, Piedmont Natural Gas said a “strong smell” of natural gas reported by uptown Charlotte residents was caused by destruction of mercaptan tanks by a local company.

RELATED: Strong, foul smell in Charlotte caused by destruction of gas odorant, Piedmont says

Mercaptan is a harmless chemical that smells like sulfur or rotten eggs that utility companies add to natural gas to make it easier to detect leaks, according to Healthline, a medical information website.

If you smell natural gas in your home, here’s what you need to know to stay safe.

Do gas leaks cause physical symptoms?

Gas leaks reduce the amount of oxygen available in your home, which can lead to physical symptoms, according to Healthline. Symptoms you should look for include:

  • Headache

  • Dizziness

  • Nausea

  • Eye and throat irritation

  • Fatigue

  • Breathing problems

  • Pale skin or blisters

Gas leaks can also release carbon monoxide, another dangerous gas that can affect your health. Symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning include:

  • Tiredness

  • Nausea and dizziness

  • Headache

  • Chest or stomach pains

  • Vision problems

  • Loss of muscle control

What should you do if you smell natural gas in your home?

If you think there is a gas leak in your home, you should evacuate immediately, according to Duke Energy. Once you’re a safe distance away from your home, you should call 911 and your local gas company.

You should also avoid operating electrical or pipeline system equipment and stay away from your home until a representative from your gas company tells you it is safe, Duke Energy says.

What can you do to avoid gas leak problems?

ADT, a company that provides security and fire protection services, offers the following tips on how to prevent gas leaks in your home:

  • Make sure the areas around your appliances are unblocked and clean for proper airflow.

  • Keep flammables and chemicals away from gas-powered appliances.

  • Keep your children away from natural gas appliances.

  • Make sure you have carbon monoxide detectors on each floor of your home and in all bedrooms.

  • Keep a fire extinguisher in your home, along with heat and smoke detectors in case of a fire.

  • Have your gas lines, chimneys, vents, furnaces and gas appliances inspected every year by qualified professionals.

Observer reporter Jonathan Limehouse contributed to this report.

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