Utility plans to mask awful odor from uncontrolled gas leak

[Judi Lynn]

Utility plans to mask awful odor from uncontrolled gas leak

Brian Melley, Associated Press

Updated 4:44 pm, Tuesday, November 24, 2015

LOS ANGELES (AP) — A utility trying to stop a monthlong leak at a massive natural gas storage facility near a Los Angeles neighborhood said Tuesday it planned to use a mist to mask the sickening stench as work continues — possibly for three more months — to plug the well.

SoCalGas officials told county supervisors the substance is safe and would neutralize the rotten-egg smell that has led to more than 660 complaints by residents to the air board about nausea, headaches and dizziness.

Porter Ranch residents attended the supervisors meeting to criticize the company's delay in owning up to the leak that began Oct. 23 and said they are wary of claims the deodorizing mist is harmless and fear it could cause unknown chemical reactions.

. . .

So far, the leak has stumped the gas company, a division of Sempra Energy, which has tried unsuccessfully to pour liquid into a leaking well that goes a mile and a half underground.

More:
http://www.chron.com/business/energy/article/LA-County-residents-to-speak-on-sick-making-6653529.php

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

1. "Uncontrolled gas leak" sounds like a description of a GOP debate.

[LiberalArkie]

2. That sounds more like hydrogen-sulfide than natural gas.

[Nihil]

3. Often found together with leaks (especially when talking about corroded pipes/wells).

No, the natural gas itself doesn't smell but the problems that have
led to the leak frequently involve sulphur dioxide and other corrosive
pollutants so there's plenty of H2 & S available to combine.

[eppur_se_muova]

4. Thiols are added to natural gas to give it a stronger odor.

Natural gas alone has such a weak smell that people often are not aware of the danger. Methanethiol is the usual additive, though others have been used. Yes, it's poisonous, but it smells so bad that most people flee the area before they can get exposed to any substantial dose. That idea doesn't work if the well keeps dumping it out.

Methanethiol is also used for communication in mining operations. Releasing the substance into the ventilation system to alert mine workers of an emergency and is referred to as "releasing the pest"[citation needed].

Since natural gas and propane are colorless and odorless, a small amount of methyl mercaptan or ethyl mercaptan is added to make it easy to detect a gas leak.[9]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Methanethiol#Uses