Hydrogen sulfide: Health effects
Description
Collapse, coma and death from respiratory failure may come within a few seconds after one or two inspirations, at high levels (concentrations of 1000 to 2000 parts per million). Concentrations of 100 to 200 parts per million for one to eight hours may cause sleeplessness, blurred vision, haemorrhage and death. Lower concentrations may irritate the eyes, nose and throat (5 to 50 parts per million). Following an exposure there may be headaches, dizziness, and nausea. Repeated exposures may cause headaches, anorexia, insomnia, paralysis, meningitis, psychic troubles, slowed heart rate, bronchitis and a grey-green line on the gums.
Entering the body
Hydrogen sulfide can enter the body when a person breathes air containing hydrogen sulfide. This is most common for people who work in areas of higher exposure or near to facilities where hydrogen sulfide are used or produced.
Exposure
Workers in the industries that use or produce hydrogen sulfide are most at risk of exposure. Consumers can be exposed to hydrogen sulfide by exposure to air from production and processing facilities that use or produce hydrogen sulfide such as mining operations, chemical processing facilities, oil and gas extraction operations, electric power plants, pulp and paper mills, and other producers of to hydrogen sulfide.
Health guidelines
Worksafe Australia:
For hydrogen sulfide, it is allowable for workers to be exposed to concentrations of 10 parts per million, averaged over an eight hour workshift, with the exposure not exceeding 15 parts per million. Worksafe Australia reports hydrogen sulfide is very toxic by inhalation.
Australian Drinking Water Quality Guidelines (NHMRC and ARMCANZ, 1996):
Aesthetic:
Maximum of 0.05 mg/L (i.e. 0.00005 g/L).
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