Grace Hewitt and Alex Pearson
DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN) — Gas leaks can pose several dangers, including a fire or an explosion like what we saw in Youngstown this week.
There are also health risks from inhaling toxic gases such as carbon monoxide.
Gas leaks particularly those involving natural gas are a threat to your health and can lead to destructive outcomes.
Signs of a gas leak include unusual noises like whistling or hissing, steady bubbles in standing water, or dead plants where the line is installed.
If you have a leak, Center Point Energy says you need to immediately take action, saying:
We also urge customers to not use electric switches or telephones (including cell phones), drive or start a car or do anything else that could cause a spark in the area of a suspected leak.
Exposure can present a range of “health” symptoms, from headaches to feeling dizzy. Health officials say although those can be from several things, it’s important to be aware.
“That’s the that’s the tricky part. There is the very unspecific symptoms. The symptoms that are there for that initially can be any number of things. And you don’t know what it is. And you may not think of carbon monoxide poisoning as the first thing. So if you do have gas and you do experience those symptoms, you can step outside, see if those symptoms reside,” said Dan Suffoletto, public information supervisor for public health of Montgomery County.
Suffoletto also says all ages are at risk, but it could be an even more immediate danger to younger children.
“Because of their lung capacity and their size and their physical development. Yes, it will affect them quicker and potentially a smaller amount will have a bigger effect,” said Suffoletto. “Now, also, pregnant women are at risk as well, but it is such a problem in that you cannot really narrow it down to those groups.”
On its own, natural gas, generally, does not have scent. However, Center Point Energy for the industry standard and adds a distinct odorant to the gas, that smells like rotten eggs or sulfur, to make it easier for you to detect a leak.
If you suspect a natural gas leak, officials say to leave immediately and once you are safely away from the area, call 911 and the gas company.
Read More: Notice a gas leak? Here’s what officials say to do