The smell is due to mercaptan, which is known for its strong, unpleasant odor, often described as resembling rotten eggs or cabbage.
SAN ANTONIO — Residents in San Antonio are reporting a “strong odor” from the south side to Boerne Wednesday morning.
Officials say there is no cause for alarm and nobody is in any danger.
A spokesman for SAFD says, “a significant release of mercaptan occurred Wednesday morning on the far south side of San Antonio.”
It turns out this was all caused by a company cleaning out gas lines in Leon Valley.
Boerne Police say, “We’ve been getting reports of a strong gas odor in the area. This is not a gas leak or emergency. West Texas Gas was doing a routine line cleanout in Leon Valley, and due to strong south winds, the odorant (which smells like gas) is making its way to Boerne.”
Mercaptan is a chemical used to give natural gas its distinctive odor.
Mercaptan, also known as thiol, is a chemical compound containing carbon, hydrogen, and sulfur, known for its strong, unpleasant odor, often described as resembling rotten eggs or cabbage. It’s primarily used as a safety measure in natural gas and other fuel gases to give them a detectable smell, allowing for quick identification of leaks.
While it smells like gas, it is not harmful on its own.
“As the mercaptan odor moves north with prevailing southeast winds, SAFD Communications (911) has received multiple calls reporting a strong “natural gas” smell,” said SAFD. “Please help us inform the public that there is no danger to residents. The odor is expected to dissipate and move out of the city shortly. Thank you for your support in keeping the community informed.”