Some Buford residents have smelled natural gas in their homes, but the city says there’s nothing to worry about.
The company that provides Buford’s natural gas injected an “excessive amount of mercaptan” into the system, according to a city press release. Mercaptan is a chemical containing sulfur that’s added to natural gas to give it a smell; natural gas is otherwise odorless.
About 600 people have called the city about the odor, city spokesman Bryan Kerlin said. That represents less than 2 percent of Buford Gas customers, he said.
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Because too much mercaptan was added into the system, some Buford Gas customers may smell it in their homes, the release says. There are no natural gas leaks known to the city at this time, and there is no danger to the public, the city said. The smell should dissipate soon.
However, residents should still call the city if they smell mercaptan — the sulfur-based chemical smells similar to rotten eggs — just to be safe. Gas customers can call the city at 678-889-4600 during normal business hours or 770-932-7986 after hours.
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