Authorities discover source of pervasive ‘rotten egg’ stench at New Jersey truck stop
Police and emergency management services in Gloucester County, New Jersey, are responding to a venting tanker that has led to widespread reports of a foul odor in multiple counties.
Starting around 3 p.m. on Wednesday, August 10, authorities received hundreds of 911 calls about a “rotten egg” odor emanating from the TA truck stop located off I-295 in Paulsboro, New Jersey.
We still smell a strong odor similar to rotten eggs even after heavy rain this morning.
The tanker truck that’s spewing the fumes is still parked at the TA truck stop in Paulsboro, Gloucester County.
Officials say there is no health risk to the public. https://t.co/UqRQrSCa0u pic.twitter.com/QczPIpaHY0
— Corey Davis (@CoreyDavis6abc) August 11, 2022
The smell was so strong that people from neighboring counties were calling to complain, according to 6abc.
New Jersey authorities were able to track down the source of the smell to a tanker truck.
“The wide spread odor is coming from the Truck Stop in East Greenwich from a trailer containing about 7,000 gallons of Lubizol that is venting. The chemical has a rotten egg smell. It is not natural gas. Police, Fire, EMS, Haz-Mat, OEM and NJDEP are on location mitigating the situation. It is recommended to stay in doors and limit outdoor activities at this time,” said the Gloucester County Office of Emergency Management (GCOEM).
Police have clarified that there is no chemical leak and that the tanker is venting in response to high temperatures.
Lubizol can cause skin irritation and eye damage but authorities say that there is no risk to the public. Authorities will continue to monitor air quality for safety.
Around 11:30 p.m. on Wednesday, a shelter in place order was issued by the GCOEM. The order was in place for about two hours before it was lifted.
As of Thursday morning, the tanker is still venting the chemical. The trailer company has a team enroute to offload the chemical from the trailer, according to GCOEM..
Due to widespread public concern, the GCOEM has established a call center at 856-384-6800 open from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. to address questions about the odor.