Here’s What’s Behind The Odor Reports Across Evansville’s East Side

UPDATE:

Officials have now identified the likely source of the unusual odor that has been reported across Evansville’s east side over the past several days.

According to 14 WFIE, which shared information from local and state emergency management officials, the odor is believed to be coming from an area near Old Boonville Highway, close to O’Bryan Barrel Company. They say the Indiana Department of Environmental Management has confirmed that the smell is linked to a recent shipment of empty industrial barrels that previously contained Mercaptan.

Mercaptan is a chemical compound commonly added to natural gas to give it a strong, sulfur-like odor that helps detect leaks, often described as similar to rotten eggs.

Officials say the facility received several hundred empty barrels that had contained Mercaptan. During the cleaning and reconditioning process, hot water was used to remove residue from a portion of the barrels. That process released lingering Mercaptan odors into the air, which then spread throughout the surrounding area.

The company stopped the cleaning operation as soon as the issue was identified and declined to process the remaining barrels from the shipment. Crews are now cleaning the processing equipment to remove any remaining residue.

IDEM officials say the release has stopped, and there is no ongoing emission. However, due to weather and atmospheric conditions, the odor may continue to linger until it fully dissipates. Authorities continue to stress that there is no immediate threat to public safety.

Previously:

Residents on Evansville’s east side are reporting an unusual odor, and local authorities are continuing to investigate after a recent increase in complaints.

According to the Evansville Fire Department, crews have responded to more than 25 odor-related calls in just the last 48 hours, a volume officials say is not typical.

What Residents Are Reporting

Over the past several months, some residents have reported chemical- or gas-like odors in parts of the east side and surrounding areas. While reports have increased recently, fire officials say testing conducted so far has not identified an immediate danger to public health.

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University Of Evansville Addresses Odor Reports On Campus

The University of Evansville has also acknowledged odor concerns after receiving multiple reports from campus buildings.

According to Noah Alatza, Chief Communications Officer at the University of Evansville, Facilities and Public Safety responded to several calls and work orders reporting gas-like or electrical-type odors across campus. After investigating, officials say there is no indication the smell is coming from any university facility.

Alatza noted that Evansville and Vanderburgh County Central Dispatch have received similar reports from across the community, and that the Evansville Fire Department currently has crews from five stations actively investigating.

University officials emphasized there is no immediate threat to campus and said updates will be shared as more information becomes available from local authorities.

What Fire Crews Are Testing For

When crews respond to these calls, they use Photo Ionization Detectors to evaluate air quality and screen for substances that could pose an immediate threat to life or health.

According to EFD, testing includes checks for:

• Natural gas
• Carbon monoxide
• Oxygen levels
• Hydrogen sulfide
• Hydrogen cyanide
• Volatile organic compounds, including formaldehyde, benzene, and ammonia

At this time, EFD says readings have consistently shown zero detections for these hazards during their investigations.

Why Odors Can Be Hard To Pinpoint

Fire officials note that atmospheric conditions may be contributing to how odors behave. Certain weather patterns can trap smells closer to the ground, making them seem stronger or more widespread even if air quality readings remain normal.

While EFD has equipment to test for immediate threats, officials say identifying the exact source or composition of an odor can fall outside the scope of what their tools are designed to detect.

Read More: Indiana Ranked Worst State For Pollution

State Environmental Officials Called In

Because of the ongoing concerns, EFD has been in contact with the Indiana Department of Environmental Management, which has also received multiple reports related to the odors.

IDEM is expected to be in the area to conduct additional evaluation. While odors themselves are not directly regulated, IDEM can assess environmental conditions and identify any potential concerns that fall under its authority.

How Residents Can Report Concerns

Officials stress that they will continue to respond to every call for service. Residents experiencing ongoing issues are encouraged to report concerns through appropriate channels so they can be fully investigated.

Community members can also contact IDEM directly:

IDEM Complaint Line: 1-800-451-6027

City officials say they understand the frustration and concern this situation has caused and will continue working with state partners to determine what is behind the reports.