Canton Public Safety officials have contacted a DTE/Michcon representative about the gas odor issue Canton has been experiencing today and was provided the following information: 

DTE recently odorized the natural gas supply in Canton.  During this process it is not unusual for the odor to escape from the vents present on every gas meter.  This condition is complicated by the current weather conditions, keeping the odor close to the ground.  To compound the issue, it seems that a pump that injects the odorant into the gas supply did not shut off when it was supposed to, and an unusually high amount of the odorant was introduced into the gas supply.

The odor problem occurs when the gas appliance (water heater, furnace, stove, oven) starts up. There is always a small amount of unburned gas prior to the appliance igniting. Given the abnormally high amount of odorant in the gas this small amount of gas present prior to ignition is causing the smell we relate to a gas leak.

Since this morning the fire department has responded to 19 incidents reporting a "smell of gas". DTE indicates they have had over 500 calls. DTE is expecting even more calls as people come home from work this afternoon.

There is no danger because of the excessive odorant, just inconvenience.

Once again, under no circumstances should anyone ignore and not report any smell of natural gas. If you think you smell gas call 911 and report it.

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