10/23/2026
10/28/26 DEC Update:
As the investigation continues, there will be residual odors for some time. While many people are still noticing an odor, agencies note that calls have lessened. They are still working to determine if the facility they’re looking into is the definitive source of the odor. They hope to have more information in the coming weeks.
DEP has been managing house trap and sewer trap issues, but these are ultimately the responsibility of the homeowner. The Department of Health can answer exposure questions and all involved agencies will continue responding to calls.
Update from 10/26/26 — Guidelines from the Department of Health:
• If you smell gasoline in your home or in your neighborhood, call 911. FDNY will respond and provide site-specific guidance.
• To minimize potential short term health effects, you should move away from the location. Do not smoke or use lighters, turn on or off any electrical devices, and do not attempt to search for the source.
• Inhaling gasoline in the air outside can irritate the nose, throat, and lungs. Exposure might also result in headaches, dizziness, lightheadedness, nausea, and fainting.
• These symptoms should go away once you move upwind of the odor. If your symptoms get worse or continue once in fresh air, seek emergency medical attention.
• If you are unsure, contact the NYC Poison Center at 1-800-222-1222.
‼️⛽️ VERNIKOV HOLDS INTERAGENCY MEETING TO ADDRESS GAS ODOR: POTENTIAL SOURCE
NEW YORK, NY– October 22, 2026 – Councilwoman Inna Vernikov today held an interagency meeting to address the gasoline odor that has affected parts of South Brooklyn, particularly Sheepshead Bay. Attendees included Senator Scarcella-Spanton, Assemblymember Kalman Yeger, and representatives from the NYC Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), FDNY, the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC), the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH), and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
Residents first reported the odor in late August. This week, DEC identified its first significant lead: a local facility reported a leaking drop tube in one of its tanks. Vapors from the leak could be entering the sewer system and causing the odor. This source is not confirmed and is only presumed to be the source of the problem by circumstantial evidence. There is also a possibility that there is more than one facility at issue.
Since making this discovery, the facility repaired the leaking tube, hired a consultant and developed a work plan. The work plan includes soil and v***r samples, as well as inventory reconciliation to figure out how long there has been a leak as well as how much was leaked. Every gas station is supposed to perform inventory monitoring and reconciliation. DEC advises that once the reconciliation is done, penalties and enforcement will be addressed.
Agency officials stressed that the cause is not yet confirmed and all evidence is circumstantial. Earlier inspections missed the problem because the faulty part was a small and specific piece–a drop tube–and not the fuel tank itself, which is what gets checked.
While the investigation continues, agencies will continue to manage the odor by remediating affected sites and flushing sewer lines in problem areas. If officials find additional leaks or concerns during the investigation, they will address them immediately.
FDNY is monitoring gas levels for explosive and flammable conditions and oxygen deficiency. To date, there have been no fires, hospital transports, or evacuations. If there are concerning readings, FDNY will take immediate steps.
Councilwoman Vernikov’s office has received numerous complaints of dizziness, headaches, and upper respiratory irritation. A Department of Health representative advised that any symptoms caused by the gasoline smell should not have long-term effects and should subside quickly after exposure ends. Residents whose symptoms persist should consult a health care provider.
DEC is the lead agency on this and advises that repairs have been made along the way, stopping discharge, as well as collecting samples. They have also discovered issues in buildings and private homes which have escalated the situation. These include faulty P-traps. A P-trap is a curved, U-shaped pipe beneath a fixture drain that keeps sewer gases from rising into the home. Residents who have noticed an odor in their homes can check the P-traps.
If you notice a strong gasoline smell, please report it to 911. Additionally, please use the tracker linked below to make a report, which helps agencies pinpoint a location and identify clusters.
We will continue working closely with the city and state agencies and imminently provide updates as they come.
Community reports for Sheepshead Bay, Brighton Beach & Coney Island. Anonymously note where and when you smelled gasoline on a shared public map.
