A malfunction at a Chillicothe paper plant is to blame for a strange stench that settled over much of Central Ohio Friday.
10TV heard from viewers all the way from Ross County to as far north as Westerville and even into Licking and Knox Counties.
The odor was strong enough that it got inside buildings like the Kemba Credit Union in Gahanna, where employees actually evacuated the building out of concern of a possible gas leak.
Fire officials responded and told them it wasn't just in their building- it was everywhere.
10TV's cameras are great at capturing sights, and sounds
Smells, not so much.
And on a day like Friday, that might be a good thing.
"It was kind of nauseating,” said Courtney Churchill. “If I could put a word on it, that's what I would say. Kind of made my stomach upset just smelling it."
Churchill, of Pickerington, and Brian Workman of Blacklick are just two of the people who weren't sure what to think when they stepped outside Friday.
"Kind of smelled like sewage or landfill gas outside," said Workman. "Kind of sewage, rotten eggs kind of smell," said Churchill.
But as they went about their days in different parts of town, they realized the smell didn't stay behind.
"I thought maybe I'd hit a skunk or something and that's why it was following me around,” joked Workman. “Wherever I go I'm smelling this. Pretty sure I showered this morning."
"I thought what is that? Why is it so spread out?” said Churchill. “Because if it was a water treatment plant like I first thought, then it would be more localized."
The smell set social media abuzz, with thousands of viewers sharing their theories on the funk.
Some blamed our neighbors to the north:
"A bus full of Michiganites just drove completely around the 270 outer belt."
Others blamed Fracking: "it is soiling Ohio air quality and depleting our natural resources."
Others blamed the season: "The politicians are out and about looking for votes."
One wrote: "If this is a Halloween prank it's not funny."
"Something's obviously wrong somewhere,” said Workman.
The Ohio EPA says that somewhere was more than 50 miles away from him, at the Glatfelter paper plant in Chillicothe.
Glatfelter blames a problem with its emission control systems.
Courtney's not convinced. "How is that possible for a foul smell to travel such a large distance and still be so strong?"
The Ohio EPA says its staff has no concerns about any health risks associated with today's event.
Glatfelter released a statement thanking the community for its patience.
The company released the following information:
- At approximately 1:30 a.m. this morning, our Chillicothe Operation experienced operational issues with our venting systems.
- Repair work was started immediately and all systems were returned to normal operation by 7:45 a.m.
- We notified the Ohio EPA regarding the situation.
- During the breakdown period, emissions from our paper mill changed causing an odor noticeable by the Chillicothe and surrounding communities.
- We would like to thank the community for their patience as we returned to normal operating conditions.
