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The Silent Killer—Hydrogen Sulfide
Release Date:
2023/09/17
Everyone is no doubt familiar with hydrogen sulfide poisoning and asphyxiation incidents. Today, let’s take a closer look at what hydrogen sulfide really looks like!
What is hydrogen sulfide?
Hydrogen sulfide is a flammable, colorless asphyxiant gas with a pungent “rotten egg” odor; its specific gravity is 1.19 (air = 1), making it heavier than air, prone to accumulation and slow to disperse. It is soluble in both water and alcohols, and exposure can result in an extremely high mortality rate!
What are the symptoms of hydrogen sulfide poisoning?
A. Acute Poisoning : Exposure to hydrogen sulfide at or above high concentrations can damage the human central nervous system, respiratory system, and myocardium.
1. Mild poisoning ：
① Prominent symptoms such as headache, dizziness, and fatigue, accompanied by mild to moderate disturbance of consciousness.
② Acute tracheobronchitis or peribronchitis.
2. Severe poisoning ：
① Consciousness disturbance manifests as mild to moderate coma.
② Acute bronchopneumonia.
3. Severe poisoning ：
The degree of consciousness impairment reaches deep coma or a vegetative state, pulmonary edema, sudden death, or multiple organ failure.
B. Chronic Poisoning : Prolonged exposure to low concentrations of hydrogen sulfide can cause conjunctivitis and corneal damage, as well as harm to the central nervous system, respiratory system, and myocardium.
Under normal circumstances, when the concentration of hydrogen sulfide in the air reaches 0.035 mg/m³, people can begin to smell it; initially, the intensity of the characteristic rotten-egg odor is directly proportional to its concentration. However, once the concentration exceeds 10 mg/m³, the odor actually weakens—yet this is precisely the most dangerous moment. When the concentration of hydrogen sulfide in the air reaches 1,000 mg/m³, acute poisoning sets in rapidly, with prominent systemic symptoms, and death often results soon thereafter from respiratory paralysis. If the concentration rises to 1,400 mg/m³ or higher, even a brief inhalation can cause immediate loss of consciousness and coma, leading to death as swiftly as an electric shock. Consequently, victims of hydrogen sulfide exposure often succumb one after another.
What measures can be taken to prevent hydrogen sulfide poisoning?
● Gas detection must be performed before entering a confined space.
● When working in indoor workplaces where hydrogen sulfide leakage or dispersion may occur, ventilation systems shall be activated.
● Work involving hydrogen sulfide media must be performed while properly wearing an air-supplied respirator.
● For operations where exposure to hydrogen sulfide is possible, personnel shall wear appropriate respirators and perform work on the upwind side of the hydrogen sulfide source.
● Always ensure personal protective measures are in place before initiating emergency rescue.
What are the emergency first-aid measures for hydrogen sulfide poisoning?
● The patient should be immediately removed from the scene to a location with fresh air, and oxygen administration should be provided when feasible.
● Immediate cardiopulmonary-cerebral resuscitation should be initiated for individuals experiencing respiratory or cardiac arrest. However, it is important to avoid mouth-to-mouth artificial ventilation to prevent inhalation of H2S exhaled by the patient or released from their clothing, which could lead to secondary poisoning.
● For patients with respiratory and cardiac arrest, once resuscitation is successful, adrenal glucocorticoids or hyperbaric oxygen therapy should be administered as soon as possible to prevent and treat cerebral edema and pulmonary edema.
● Rescuers should prioritize their own safety and promptly call 120; they must not attempt rescue blindly. This is crucial for preventing mass acute hydrogen sulfide poisoning incidents or sudden cardiac death!
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