On Thursday, October 16 (during autumn break) from 8 a.m. until 8 p.m., a planned natural gas purge will occur near the Herrick Drive and Tharp Street intersection, at the southeast corner of the Combined Heat and Power Plant (CHP). The natural gas purge is scheduled as part of work to bring natural gas to the CHP building.
During the purge, a rotten egg odor may be present in the Columbus campus Midwest campus area, including the Veterinary Medical Center, College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences (CFAES) facilities and Coffey Road Park. The odor may travel to other areas of campus depending on wind conditions. The Howlett loading area and approximately five parking spaces located north of the Galbreath Equine Center will also be closed for the purge.
Officials will be on-site to monitor conditions and Ohio State’s Department of Public Safety (DPS) is aware of the work. The Columbus Fire Department (CFD) will also be in the area to monitor and will use this work as a training exercise. If you smell an odor outside of this area and/or are unsure about where the odor is coming from, evacuate the area and call DPS at 614-292-2121.
Gas occurring naturally from the earth cannot be seen or smelled. However, natural gas from pipelines on Ohio State’s Columbus campus has been intentionally treated with an odorant that smells like rotten eggs to notify customers of a gas leak.
This information is being shared to notify the campus community of the planned gas purge and odor.
For questions, email buildingthefuture@osu.edu.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a natural gas purge?
- A natural gas purge is a safety procedure used to remove unwanted gases (usually air or other contaminants) from a pipeline, vessel or system and replace them with natural gas—or vice versa.
Why does the natural gas purge smell like rotten eggs?
- Gas occurring naturally from the earth cannot be seen or smelled. However, natural gas from pipelines on Ohio State’s Columbus campus has been intentionally treated with an odorant that smells like rotten eggs to notify the campus community in the event of a gas event / leak.
- The strength of the odor may fluctuate throughout the day.
Is a natural gas purge a concern to humans, animals or plants?
- Trained personnel will be on site throughout the purge. The process is controlled and is being carried out in accordance with all safety regulations and industry best practices.
- Natural gas is colorless and odorless. A chemical which omits a smell similar to rotten eggs is added to natural gas to alert customers of a gas leak. This chemical does not pose health concerns when inhaled at the levels contained within natural gas.
- Please avoid the immediate area during the purge. Do not use open flames or create sparks near the purge area.
- The Columbus Fire Department (CFD) will also be in the area to monitor and will use this work as a training exercise.
- If you smell gas indoors or have concerns, please call Ohio State's Department of Public Safety (614-292-2121).
Is there anything I shouldn’t do near the gas purge?
- Do not use open flames or create sparks near the purge area.
Where can I learn more about natural gas safety?
- Learn about natural gas safety online.