The reason gas companies odorize natural gas is simple: it is a legal requirement. In 1937, the high school in New London, Texas exploded, killing over 200 men, women, and mostly children. Natural gas emanating from a leak accumulated in the school’s basement and ignited when someone entering the area flipped on a light switch. No one knew about the leak because un-odorized natural gas has no odor. This disaster led federal and state regulators to enact new regulations that required suppliers to odorize natural gas. Odorization remains one of the most important tasks performed by the gas company. Thus, it is critical that gas company management and employees have a clear understanding of the fundamentals of gas odorization. Knowledge of the basic characteristics of odorant compounds, the reasons for blending these compounds, and the potential problems that can arise is a vital component of an odorization program’s success. The legal and human costs of natural gas accidents demand constant vigilance from everyone involved in an odorization program