Atmos Energy responded to a higher than normal number of odor calls since yesterday evening throughout the DFW area.
"Because natural gas has no scent or color, mercaptan, which is a harmless, nontoxic chemical that has a rotten egg smell, is added to the natural gas we deliver. We follow precise steps to ensure proper levels of mercaptan are in the natural gas we deliver, so a person with a normal sense of smell will notice a leak if one happens."
"We believe the source of the odor is excess mercaptan. If too much mercaptan is inadvertently added to the system, it causes a higher than normal concentration of the odor that is associated with a gas leak."
"The safety of the public, our employees and our system is our highest priority. We are investigating every odor call received since last night and will continue to do so as part of our vision to be the safest provider of natural gas services."
