What does natural gas typically smell like?

• A. rotten eggs or sulphur
• B. mint and citrus
• C. no odor
• D. metallic scent

Answer: (A)

Natural gas is odorized on purpose so leaks are easy to detect. The gas itself has no smell, but a scenting agent (usually mercaptan) is added, giving it a strong rotten-egg or sulfur odor. That distinctive smell is why you typically notice a rotten-egg scent when there’s a gas leak. The other scents aren’t how natural gas is detected, and without the odorant there would be little to no smell at all. If you ever smell that rotten-egg odor, leave the area and call the gas company or emergency services.