Safety Frequently Asked Questions

What are the properties of natural gas?

How can I detect a gas leak?

What should I do if I smell gas?

How is natural gas delivered to homes and businesses?

Should I report people who tamper with gas meters?

What are the properties of natural gas?

Natural gas is the most environmentally friendly fossil fuel, which means it's cleaner than either oil or coal. For this reason, it's a very popular form of energy among residents, business owners and government policy makers.

Natural gas is a naturally occurring hydrocarbon composed mostly of methane (CH4), which is principally found in underground formations of porous rock. The natural gas used in the United States primarily comes from North America.

The following properties of natural gas contribute to its excellent safety record.

Natural gas is odorless and colorless:

An odorant with a distinctive "rotten egg" smell is added to natural gas. The odorant makes gas leaks easy to detect.

Natural gas is nontoxic:

This means inhaling natural gas will not cause ill effects. In very large quantities it is possible that natural gas can displace most of the oxygen in the air, at which point breathing becomes difficult. Before this happens, however, a very strong odor would almost certainly alert you to the presence of gas.

Natural gas has a very limited range of flammability:

This also contributes to its safe use. Natural gas is flammable only within a 5-15% gas-to-air mixture. And, it has a very high ignition temperature. The high ignition temperature and the limited flammability range make accidental ignition or combustion unlikely.

Natural gas is lighter than air:

Generally, when natural gas is accidentally released into the outside air it will rise and vent harmlessly into the atmosphere. When a gas-and-air mixture within the flammable range collects in a confined space, it can accidentally ignite.

How can I detect a gas leak?

Common sense often prevents emergencies from happening, and the same goes for natural gas emergencies. Smell is the best way to detect a gas leak.

Natural gas has no odor. Bay State Gas adds a harmless odorant to natural gas, so that you will recognize its distinct “rotten egg” smell if there is a leak.

What should I do if I smell gas?

The company adds an odorant to alert you if there is a leak. Any time you smell gas, call us at 1-800-525-8222 from a safe location 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Do not contact us via this Web site about a gas emergency.

How is natural gas delivered to homes and businesses?

Natural gas is delivered from wells to homes, businesses and public buildings through a vast underground pipeline system. The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) characterizes this pipeline network as the safest way to transport energy in the country. Serious accidents on this 1.3 million mile delivery system are rare.

Should I report people who tamper with gas meters?

Yes, notify usif you know or suspect someone is tampering with a gas meter. Your identity will remain confidential. People who tamper with gas meters not only endanger their own lives, but also the lives and property of others. And the cost of gas theft is passed on to customers. Anyone tampering with a gas meter is subject to criminal prosecution. When you call our tip line, your identity will remain anonymous.