What is a common misconception about gas safety?

Natural gas is often thought to be odorless, which is a common misconception. In reality, natural gas is primarily composed of methane, which is indeed odorless. However, for safety reasons, natural gas companies add a specific odorant called mercaptan to the gas before it is delivered to homes and businesses. This odorant is responsible for the distinctive smell often described as rotten eggs, making it possible for individuals to detect leaks. This intentional addition is crucial for safety, allowing people to identify potentially hazardous situations.

Understanding this fact is vital for anyone working with or around gas systems. Recognizing and being able to detect the smell of the added odorant is an essential safety measure. The misconception that gas is odorless can lead to dangerous situations if leaks occur that go undetected because people may mistakenly believe there is no hazard present when, in fact, there is.