[capt. norm]

We do... the odor is Mercaptan.

Since mercaptan is such an easily traced gas in extremely small amounts, maybe someone was rehearsing just to see how far a lethal gas would go and its likely path.

[bicyclerepair]

My thought is that a bunch of ragheads in separate rented apts. all left their gas on.

[Shady]

And now they know.

[johnny7]

Hold on... let me go put on my tinfoil hat. ;)

[Last Laugh]

Since mercaptan is such an easily traced gas in extremely small amounts, maybe someone was rehearsing just to see how far a lethal gas would go and its likely path.

Good theory and very likely, IMO.

[EEDUDE]

**Since mercaptan is such an easily traced gas in extremely small amounts, maybe someone was rehearsing just to see how far a lethal gas would go and its likely path.**


My thoughts exactly.

And mercaptan can be used in tiny amounts to make a BIG smell.

[justiceseeker93]

"Mercaptan" refers to a class of organic compounds, so it is not just one particular chemical. And, as mentioned, mercaptans are added to natural gas (methane) to give the natural gas - otherwise odorless - a dectable odor.

So it would appear that there could be more than one toxic gas involved here. No one can make any comments about the danger, if any, until the concentrations of each particular gas in air samples are known.

The safest thing to do would be stay as far away as possible until the tests are run.