VIDEO: Columbia Gas has identified the cause of the odor throughout Northeast Ohio, and it is not a gas leak.
Wednesday evening, a natural gas odor took over areas including Ashland, Lorain and Cuyahoga Counties and the city of Mansfield, causing some concern about a potential gas leak.
However, Columbia Gas said the odor is caused by an overabundance of mercaptan, which an upstream supplier added.
Mercaptan is a harmless odorant that makes it easier to detect natural gas, according to Columbia Gas.
Parma Fire said residents will smell natural gas after using gas appliances; however, it does not mean they are working improperly.
The fire department encouraged people to air out their homes after using gas appliances and to contact it with any concerns.