Truck Leaks Lubrizol Chemical Gas, Causing Odor Across South Jersey: Officials

EAST GREENWICH TOWNSHIP, NJ — The source of a natural gas-like smell around southern New Jersey was a truck leaking chemicals at a Gloucester County truck stop, officials said.

Hazardous materials teams tested the air quality in the surrounding areas and "confirmed that there is no risk to the public," the Gloucester County Office of Emergency Management said Wednesday night.

"Air monitoring will continue throughout the duration of the event," Gloucester County Emergency Management said.

Emergency crews rushed to find a leak around 3 p.m. on Wednesday afternoon after many residents in southern New Jersey reported smelling something like natural gas.

Sure enough, a tractor trailer was venting "large amounts of gas" at the Travel Center Truck Stop on Berkeley Road in East Greenwich Township, the OEM said. Crews found the exact location of the leak at 3:27 p.m.

The truck has about 7,000 gallons of the chemical, which has "a rotten egg smell," officials said. It is not natural gas, as some theorized earlier.

"Numerous resources are currently on location monitoring and attempting to mitigate the venting along with the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection," the office of emergency management said Wednesday night.

A shelter-in-place was issued by Gloucester County Emergency Management around 11:30 p.m. Wednesday in East Greenwich, Paulsboro, Gibbstown and areas across the Delaware River after yet another round of smells near the TA Travel Center on Berkley Road; it was lifted about two hours later.

"The trailer company has a team enroute to offload the chemical from the trailer," the county said. "Monitoring of the situation is ongoing and all Fire & Haz-Mat responders are taking proper precautions for the chemical release. The chemical is contained at this time and it is recommended that everyone remain inside their homes and limit any outdoor activities."

Gloucester County Emergency Management said the chemical is commonly referred to as "Lubrizol 1395." Lubrizol is a company providing specialty chemicals for transportation, industrial, and consumer markets.

The sheet lists the chemical name as "Zinc alkyldithiophosphate." Part of the chemical identity and composition is "withheld as a trade secret."

In liquid form, the chemical causes skin irritation and serious eye damage.

According to the American Chemical Society, chemicals in the zinc dialkyl alkyldithiophosphate group are used as machine lubricants. These chemicals "are very effective antiwear agents," and include motor oils, hydraulic oils, and greases.

Lubrizol is headquartered in the Cleveland, Ohio metropolitan area. Last June, the Environmental Protection Agency cited one of its subsidiary companies after a chemical fire in Rockton, Ill.

The Gloucester County Office of Emergency Management opened a call center for any questions or concerns residents have regarding this incident. The call center phone number is 856-384-6800 and will be open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The previous version of this story is below:

PAULSBORO, NJ — A natural gas smell in the air around South Jersey is likely coming from a leak in the Paulsboro area, officials say.

Philadelphia's 6ABC reports emergency crews have evacuated a rest stop off of I-295 while they investigate. SigAlert shows the right lane of the I-295 off-ramp is closed at exit 18 (CR-667/CR-678) "due to police activity.

The HAZMAT team, county office of Emergency Management, and many fire departments are investigating the source of the smell, officials said.

"We are aware that this odor is extremely widespread throughout western Gloucester and other parts of the county," the Gloucester County OEM said. "Our 911 dispatch center is working extensively answering calls and related complaints of odors, please be patient with us as we move forward with this investigation.

In Camden County, Gloucester Township police said they received "NUMEROUS" 911 calls from concerned residents about the smell on Wednesday afternoon.

"Officials are currently investigating a natural gas leak in the East Greenwich/Paulsboro area in Gloucester County," Gloucester Township police said in a Facebook post at 4:48 p.m. "Depending on wind direction, a strong smell of natural gas may be present near your home."