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HWN Suggests

A Short History of Hydrogen Sulfide

What a strange and wondrous journey this odiferous and violently toxic chemical, associated with the excrement of humanity, has led us on for five centuries. It’s a history that could fill a book, one that covers a vast range of territory, from the search to determine the cause of workplace injuries to fascinating discoveries about how hydrogen sulfide interacts with chemoreceptors in the body. And for all the false leads, in the end it may yet turn out to have some useful applications in medicine—even if only a new Viagra.

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Featured

 Hydrogen Sulfide Poisoning

This flashcard featured on AMC’s Comic Book Men and summarises all the signs and symptoms of hydrogen sulfide poisoning and more importantly, answers the age old question of why farts smell like rotten eggs – it’s the sulfur baby!

 Hydrogen Sulfide Toxicity: More than just a rotten egg smell

Sodium nitrite and other nitrite formulations can be used to induce a methemoglobinemia to treat H2S toxicity. Hyperbaric oxygen, methylene blue, and hydroxocobalamin have also been used. -There is no consensus on dosing of sodium nitrite, and one must consider the drug’s side effects including hypotension. –Cobinamide, a hydroxocobalamin derivative, may serve as an effective intramuscular antidote for H2S toxicity in the future.

Articles of Interest

H2S Gas — What You Need to Know About Hydrogen Sulfide

Hydrogen Sulfide (H2S) is a gas commonly found during the drilling and production of crude oil and natural gas, plus in wastewater treatment and utility facilities and sewers. The gas is produced as a result of the microbial breakdown of organic materials in the absence of oxygen. Colorless, flammable, poisonous and corrosive, H2S gas is noticeable by its rotten egg smell. With toxicity similar to carbon monoxide, which prevents cellular respiration, monitoring and early detection of H2S could mean the difference between life and death. At high concentrations, only a few breaths are needed to induce unconsciousness, coma, respiratory paralysis, seizures, even death.

A comprehensive review of treatments for hydrogen sulfide poisoning: past, present, and future

The most important symptoms experienced by victims of acute H2S include loss of consciousness or ‘knockdown’, which directly impacts the victim’s ability to exit the contaminated exposure site and is quickly followed by acute cardiogenic shock.

Hydrogen sulfide toxic, but manageable

Sulfur is an essential element for plants, animals and bacteria. It is present in natural waters and water of aquaculture systems, mainly as the sulfate ion. In humid regions, sulfate concentrations in water usually are 5 to 50 mg/L, but in arid regions, concentrations often exceed 100 mg/L. Seawater contains 2,700 mg/L of sulfate, on average. Although sulfate is rarely applied to aquaculture systems specifically for increasing ambient concentrations, it is present in feed and a few water quality amendments.

Hydrogen Sulfide—Mechanisms of Toxicity and Development of an Antidote

Hydrogen sulfide is a highly toxic gas—second only to carbon monoxide as a cause of inhalational deaths. Its mechanism of toxicity is only partially known and no specific therapy exists for sulfide poisoning.

The Truth about Hydrogen Sulfide Exposure

Hydrogen sulfide is more than the rotten egg odor that is smelled around propane tanks. It is the bacterial actions breaking down decaying matter, which produces hydrogen sulfide (H2S) and creates the rotten egg smell. However, the truth is that H2S exposure can be deadly for workers in wastewater, mining, agriculture, textile manufacturing, food processing, and oil and gas extraction.

Use Personal Gas Monitors to Avoid Exposure to Toxic Hydrogen Sulfide

Gas monitoring is always recommended when working around toxic gases such as hydrogen sulfide. Fortunately, affordable portable personal gas monitors are available for on-farm use. Of course, there is a hierarchy of preventive measures one can use when working around toxic atmospheres.

Why Exposure to Hydrogen Sulfide is Dangerous

Hydrogen sulfide has no color and has a characteristic smell of rotten eggs. The gas is extremely dangerous. It is so harmful to the human respiratory and nervous system that it was employed as a chemical weapon in World War I. Hydrogen sulfide is very poisonous and acts as both a chemical asphyxiant (interfering with oxygen utilization in the body) and an irritant. Symptoms can emerge after a single breath. Exposure to the gas at low levels can cause nausea, coughing, eye irritation, and an accumulation of fluid in the lungs.

Resources

CoreEM

No proven antidote, but induction of methemoglobinemia through sodium nitrite and sodium thiosulfate has been used with good effect. In practice, exposure is often fatal on scene The methemoglobin scavenges H2S in the serum, creating sulfmethemoglobin and preventing further toxicity from the hydrogen sulfide

CDC

Hydrogen sulfide is a very rapidly acting, highly toxic gas that can produce rapid CNS and respiratory depression. It is also an irritant affecting skin and mucous membranes. There is no proven antidote for hydrogen sulfide poisoning. Treatment generally consists of support of respiratory and cardiovascular functions.

Earthhworks

Hydrogen sulfide gas is found in petroleum and natural gas. Oil or natural gas is considered sour if it has a high percentage of hydrogen sulfide. Natural gas can contain up to 28 percent hydrogen sulfide gas, consequently, it may be an air pollutant near petroleum refineries and in oil and gas extraction areas. The principal source of anthropogenic hydrogen sulfide is as a by-product in the purification of natural gas and refinement of crude oil. Atmospheric releases of hydrogen sulfide represent the most significant public health concern for the geothermal energy industry.

StatPearls

Hydrogen sulfide is a highly flammable, colorless, and toxic gas found naturally in sewage, swamps, manure gas, hot springs, geysers, and volcanoes. It is found in the oil and gas industries and is used in activities such as food processing, paper mills, and tanneries.