Chemical Leak Leaves Odor Wafting Across NJ, Officials Say. People Smell It in Philly

EDITOR'S NOTE: The chemical leak that caused a rotten smell to stink up parts of South Jersey and Philly downwind from a truck stop off Interstate 295 has been contained, authorities said Thursday, but it is unclear how much longer you'll have to hold your nose. Click HERE to read the latest news on the incident.

A chemical leak at a truck stop off of Interstate 295 in Gloucester County is responsible of the strong "rotten egg" smell wafting over neighborhoods across South Jersey and miles beyond, authorities said.

"That smell was horrible," one woman said.

Emergency officials said they received "hundreds" of calls Wednesday afternoon from residents in Gloucester and Camden counties reporting a strong chemical odor outside. People even reported overnight that the bad smell had wafted across the Delaware River into South Philadelphia.

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SkyForce10 was overhead as Hazmat crews responded to the TA Travel Center truck stop on Berkley Road in Paulsboro around 4:30 p.m. Tuesday.

Initially, first responders were investigating it as a possible a gas leak from a truck.

However, through further investigation, Gloucester County emergency officials said the smell was coming from a trailer "venting off large amounts of gas."

The chemical released was Lubrizol-1389 (Zinc alkyldithiophosphate) that can cause eye and skin irritation, the Gloucester County Emergency Management Office said.

"We've identified the chemical as Lubrizol, Lubrizol is a fuel additive, and so what happens in this tanker vessel -- and it's doing exactly what it should do -- is that when the temperature rises to a certain level, the vessel itself will expel fumes," East Greenwich Police Chief Matthew Brenner said.

Officials told NBC10 that the fumes release a strong "rotten egg" smell. The tanker truck was carrying 7,000 pounds of the chemical.

"Numerous resources are currently on location monitoring and attempting to mitigate the venting along with
the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection," Gloucester County officials said.

The county OEM described the smell as "nuisance" as they continued to monitor the air quality.

"The results of the testing have confirmed that there is no risk to the public," county OEM said on Facebook, while noting air monitoring would continue.

Authorities recommend "everyone remain inside their homes and limit outdoor activity," but lifted that shelter-in-place order as of 1:30 a.m. Thursday after a second release of the chemical shortly before midnight.

In the areas around the truck stop, the smell was still ever present Thursday morning, as far as 10 miles away. It was strongest closest to the truck stop.