People working in industries where hydrogen sulfide exposure is common, but is usually below the OSHA 8-hour standard 10, ppb , may have decreased lung function and increased risk of spontaneous abortion and impaired neurological functions including reaction time, balance, color discrimination, short-term memory and mood compared to unexposed workers. People living near industries that emit hydrogen sulfide have an increased risk of eye irritation, cough, headache, nasal blockage and impaired neurological function same measures as above compared to unexposed residents.
Limited information is available about exposure levels in studies of people working in or living near industries emitting hydrogen sulfide. Hydrogen sulfide exposure is assumed in these studies based on job title, work history or living near facilities emitting hydrogen sulfide.
In all cases, the people with presumed hydrogen sulfide exposure had or likely had exposures to other chemicals that could have contributed to some health effects.
Foul odors and health effects were investigated in an Indiana community near a waste disposal lagoon and in five New York State communities near landfills containing construction and demolition debris. Hydrogen sulfide levels in the Indiana community ranged up to ppb during a two-month period. Levels in two of the New York communities ranged up to ppb for periods of several months.
During these episodes there were frequent health complaints including eye, throat and lung irritation, nausea, headache, nasal blockage, sleeping difficulties, weight loss, chest pain, and asthma attacks. Although other chemicals may have been present in the air, these effects are consistent with those of hydrogen sulfide.
The main effects of short-term and long-term hydrogen sulfide exposure in laboratory animals are nasal and lung irritation and damage and effects on the brain. These effects are consistent with effects seen in people exposed to hydrogen sulfide.
In most cases, the person appears to regain consciousness without any other effects. However, in some individuals, there may be permanent or long-term effects such as headaches, poor attention span, poor memory, and poor motor function. Even at these low levels, water will become aesthetically unpleasant and most users will avoid drinking the water at that time. The odor may be more noticeable when hot water is run as heat forces the gas into the air which may cause the odor to be especially offensive when showering.
If there is an ongoing issue with hydrogen sulphide in your water supply, there are a variety of water treatment devices capable of removing it. Consult a licensed plumber or a water treatment company to determine what water treatment device will best suit your needs.
Chemical sampling can be done for a fee through a licensed private lab. For more information contact the Health Unit at If you notice a rotten egg scent near your home and suspect hydrogen sulfide, call the Spills Action Centre of the Ministry of Environment at , toll-free , or TYY. Where does Hydrogen Sulphide come from? How would a person be exposed to Hydrogen Sulphide? Some examples of workers at risk of being exposed to hydrogen sulfide include the following:.
If you work in an industry that uses hydrogen sulfide, please read chemical labels and the accompanying Safety Data Sheets for hazard information. The following resources provide information about occupational exposure to hydrogen sulfide. Search the HHE database for more information on chemical topics. Skip directly to site content Skip directly to page options Skip directly to A-Z link. Section Navigation. Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Syndicate.
Hydrogen Sulfide.
0コメント