What is natural gas? What is carbon monoxide? How do I prevent carbon monoxide poisoning? How do I shut off my gas meter? How do I avoid hitting a gas line when I'm digging in my yard?  Question: What is natural gas? Answer: Natural gas is one of the safest, cleanest, and most environmentally friendly fuels available.  Natural gas consists primarily of the gas methane with small amounts of other hydrocarbons. It is colorless, odorless, and non-toxic.  Because natural gas is lighter than air, it will rise and dissipate when vented outdoors.  When burned with the proper amount of air, natural gas is clean-burning, producing only heat, carbon dioxide, and water. Intermountain Gas Company continuously monitors its pipeline system to assure safe, efficient, reliable delivery of natural gas to your home or business.  For your protection, we add a distinctive-smelling chemical called mercaptan to our natural gas. This distinctive odor allows you to detect the slightest amount of natural gas in the air and take the appropriate safety precautions.  (See What should I do if I smell gas?) [Top] Question: What is carbon monoxide? Answer: Carbon monoxide is a poisonous gas that is produced during the improper combustion of fuels such as gasoline, coal, wood, charcoal, kerosene, propane, heating oil, and natural gas. If your furnace is operating properly, the gas flame will appear blue.  If your gas flame turns yellow, your furnace may be producing carbon monoxide. When breathed into the body, carbon monoxide combines with the blood and prevents it from absorbing oxygen. This can result in illness and even death. Because it is colorless, odorless, tasteless, and non-irritating, carbon monoxide is difficult to detect.  Signs that you have been exposed to carbon monoxide include headache, nausea, fatigue, blurry vision, and flu-like symptoms that disappear or lessen when you leave the building. The severity of the symptoms depends on the amount of exposure. Other signs that carbon monoxide is present inside a building include: Unusually high indoor humidity Persistent heavy condensation on walls and windows Stuffy or stale indoor air Soot or water collecting near a burner or vent A sounding carbon monoxide detector If you suspect carbon monoxide in your home, open the windows to ventilate the area.  If you are experiencing physical symptoms, get everyone out of the house. Call Intermountain Gas Company or your local Fire Department to find the source of the carbon monoxide and do not return until the condition is corrected. For more information, download our carbon monoxide brochure as a .pdf file. (If you don't have the Acrobat reader, you may download it from Adobe's website.) [Top] Question: How do I prevent carbon monoxide poisoning? Answer: To prevent carbon monoxide poisoning, follow the guidelines below. Never burn a charcoal or wood grill indoors or in a garage. Never leave a car running in an enclosed area, such as a garage. Never operate kerosene or propane heaters indoors without proper ventilation. Never use the gas range or oven for home heating. Never use heat-producing appliances that are not properly installed and maintained regularly.  Follow manufacturers' recommendations for maintenance. Never block or close the air intake vent for a heat-producing appliance. Never close a damper to a fireplace unless the fire is completely out. Never operate a furnace without the fan compartment door in place. For more information, download our carbon monoxide brochure as a .pdf file. (If you don't have the Acrobat reader, you may download it from Adobe's website.) [Top]