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Law Offices of
George H. Lyons
(602) 912-3888(phone)
(866) 912-3888(toll-free)
(602) 912-3898(fax)
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Odor/Odorless Gas
Natural gas is normally characterized by the identifying smell associated with specific Mercaptan compounds. Most people refer to this smell as similar to the smell of rotten eggs. Few people know that some natural gas does not have such a distinctive odor until specific chemical compounds are added to the gas stream. There are a large variety of chemical compounds available that the gas distribution industry will use in attaching the characteristic odor to otherwise undetectable natural gas.
Gas explosions frequently occur in situations where people in close proximity to the explosion did not smell the characteristic odor of natural gas prior to the explosion. The natural gas industry has known for many decades that specific phenomena can deprive natural gas of its characteristic smell. Certain chemicals can combine with the Mercaptan compound in a fashion that deprives Mercaptan of its characteristic odor. Additionally, natural gas can be scrubbed of its odor as it passes through certain types of soil during an underground gas leak scenario. Also, certain household chemicals have the capability of masking or removing the odor from natural gas.
Federal regulations require that all gas in a distribution system be odorized to a level that enables detection at 1/5 the lower explosive limit of gas in air. Some states have specific regulations that strengthen the federal requirement to even a higher detectability level. Distribution of non-odorized natural gas violates the federal regulatory scheme and would qualify for application of strict liability theories of tort recovery. Once establishing that the natural gas in a particular distribution system was devoid of odor, any damages resulting from such gas should be available to the injured party without proof of fault or theories of comparative negligence.
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ABS
PVC
Polyethylene
Joint Utilities Trench Explosions
Odor/Odorless Gas
Propane Gas v. Natural Gas
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