Geneva Residents: Can't You Smell That Smell?

GENEVA, IL – That "natural gas-like" odor you may have noticed in the air in Geneva before could be detectable again in coming days. Strathmore Company in Geneva is printing another propane safety pamphlet, which has generated the “natural gas-like” odor in the community in the past. Strathmore, which operates on Gary Lane, will be conducting its latest production run from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Jan. 31 through Friday, Feb. 2.

Another production run will be done on Monday, Feb. 5, through Wednesday, Feb. 7.

The company is printing materials for a customer that has a small scratch-and-sniff area being applied. The scent being used for the scratch-and-sniff contains Mercaptan, the same odorant that is added to natural gas to make it noticeable, according to a news release from the city of Geneva.

Mercaptan is a harmless, organic substance made of carbon, hydrogen and sulphur that is detectable to the human nose at levels of less than one part per million. Since natural gas in its pure state does not have a smell, Mercaptan is the ideal additive to colorless, odorless gases so they can be identified well before they reach hazardous levels.

Residents in the vicinity may periodically smell the Mercaptan from the company’s exhaust depending on current wind speed and direction. There is no danger being posed to the community from this commercial print job.

The company has printed three similar brochures in the past year. However, should people believe an odor is stemming from another source, or if they have knowledge of an actual natural gas leak, they can call 911 immediately to report the incident, city officials said.

Residents with questions regarding the print production smell can call the Geneva Fire Department at 630-232-2530.