What You Need to Know About Natural Gas Detectors
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Natural gas is an energy source that is commonly used in homes for cooking, heating, and water heating. It is primarily composed of methane. (Methane is a highly flammable chemical compound consisting of one carbon atom surrounded by four hydrogen atoms.) Although it only happens rarely, a natural gas leak can sometimes occur inside the home. A natural gas leak can be dangerous because it increases the risk of fire or explosion. Your local gas company works hard to provide adequate warning in the event of a gas leak. Because methane--and therefore, natural gas--does not have any odor, the gas company adds a warning "rotten-egg" smell (mercaptan or a similar sulfur-based compound) that can be easily detected by most people. However, people who have a diminished sense of smell may not be able to rely upon this safety mechanism. If you have a concern about your ability to smell the additive that signals a gas leak, you need to see a physician and use a different safety signal. A gas detector can be an important tool to help protect you and your family.
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Things to consider when selecting a natural gas detector
Natural gas detector units vary greatly in price, features, and ease of installation. Some of them must be professionally installed and may be connected to your home security system. Other brands resemble smoke detectors and are easy for you to install. Regardless of which detector you choose, certain facts are important:
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What to do if your gas detector alerts you to a natural gas leak
- Leave the house immediately.
- DO NOT make calls from your home. Phones are capable of producing a spark, which could start a fire or explosion. Contact your local gas utility company or call 911 from a phone outside and away from your home.
- DO NOT light a match or other combustible material. Likewise, DO NOT turn any light switches on or off, and DO NOT plug or unplug electrical appliances such as a television or vacuum cleaner. These activities also can produce a spark that could start a fire or explosion.
- Do not re-enter the house until the gas company finds the source of the leak and corrects it.
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Medical complications/symptoms
Exposure to low levels of natural gas is not harmful to your health. However, if a gas leak is severe, the amount of oxygen available for breathing could be dramatically reduced, which can lead to asphyxia. Symptoms of asphyxia include
- dizziness
- fatigue
- nausea
- headache
- irregular breathing
Exposure to extremely high levels of natural gas can cause loss of consciousness or even death.
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Treatments
An individual exposed to natural gas asphyxia needs to get fresh air immediately and medical attention as soon as possible. If the person is unconscious and not breathing, move him or her to a location where there is fresh air and administer mouth-to-mouth resuscitation until help arrives.
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Problems associated with the elderly
Smell sensitivity begins to decrease in the seventh decade of life. A large segment of the elderly population has difficulty detecting mercaptan, the foul-smelling chemical added as a warning agent to natural gas. For individuals with a diminished sense of smell and taste, natural gas detectors provide an early warning before gas builds to dangerous levels.
Sources of natural gas
- Leaks from gas appliances, heating systems, and water heaters
- Leaks from interior natural gas piping systems
- Migration of natural gas indoors from leaks in outdoor piping systems
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Where can I find more information?
NIDCD maintains a directory of organizations that can answer questions and provide printed or electronic information on smell disorders. Please see the list of organizations at www.nidcd.nih.gov/directory.
Use the following keywords to help you search for organizations that are relevant to smell disorders:
For more information, additional addresses and phone numbers, or a printed list of organizations, contact:
NIDCD Information Clearinghouse
1 Communication Avenue
Bethesda, MD 20892-3456
Toll-free Voice: (800) 241-1044
Toll-free TTY: (800) 241-1055
Fax: (301) 770-8977
E-mail: nidcdinfo@nidcd.nih.gov
Updated March 2002
For more information, contact the NIDCD Information Clearinghouse.
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