[Cindy]

A few more details...

http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601087&sid=aNV6_1lChEDI&refer=home

"NYC Seeking Source of Foul Smell; No Gas Leak Found (Update1)"
By Todd Zeranski and Henry Goldman

ARTICLE SNIPPET: "Jan. 8 (Bloomberg) -- New York City officials are looking for the origin of a noxious smell that engulfed parts of Manhattan and New Jersey this morning, sickening at least 27 people.

Mayor Michael Bloomberg said a ``small gas leak'' was reported in the downtown Greenwich Village neighborhood. Later, Consolidated Edison Inc. spokesman Chris Ohlert denied any leak in the utility's system."


ARTICLE SNIPPET: "Bloomberg said the smell resembled mercaptan, a sulphur- based chemical compounded added to natural gas.

Natural gas and propane are naturally colorless and odorless. Mercaptan gives the gasses the distinctive smell of rotting vegetables that can be detected in case of gas leaks. In natural gas, mercaptan is injected directly into distribution pipes. Only very small quantities of the potent gas are required."

Last Updated: January 8, 2007 14:55 EST

[freeperfromnj]

Thanks for that post. It has more information in it than I've heard all day. Can always count on the TM!