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General Information
Key Points
Fire
Very flammable
Reacts with metals, metal oxides and strong oxidising agents. Heating may cause
violent combustion
Emits toxic fumes of sulphur oxides when heated to decomposition
In the event of a fire involving hydrogen sulphide, use fine water spray and gas tight
kit with breathing apparatus
Health
Toxic by inhalation
Very toxic
Inhalation of high concentrations may lead to collapse, inability to breathe and death
within minutes.
Following single or repeated exposure to high concentrations a range of effects on
the nervous and cardiovascular system may occur.
Skin exposure causes skin discolouration, pain, itching, skin redness and local
frostbite if exposed to liquefied hydrogen sulphide gas
Eye effects may be delayed and include irritation, inflammation, tearing, sensitivity to
light and conjunctivitis
Environment
Background
Hydrogen sulphide is a colourless,
flammable gas with a characteristic odour
of rotten eggs. It is produced both
naturally and through human activity.
Hydrogen sulphide is one of the key
compounds in the natural cycle of sulphur
in the environment. It is produced during
the decay of plant and animal protein and
it occurs in volcanic gases. Some natural
gas fields and geothermally active areas
have found significant concentrations of
hydrogen sulphide.
This document has been created by the PHE Centre for Radiation, Chemical and Environmental
Hazards. The information contained in this document is correct at the time of its publication.
Hydrogen Sulphide
Incident Management
Key Points
Fire
Very flammable
Incompatible with metals and strong oxidising agentsEmits toxic fumes of sulphur
oxides when heated to decomposition
In the event of a fire involving hydrogen sulphide, use fine water spray and gas tight
kit with breathing apparatus
Health
Toxic by inhalation
Prolonged inhalation causes respiratory tract irritation and systemic effects including
vomiting, diarrhoea, headache,s dizziness, drowsiness, tachycardia and
convulsionsInhalation of high concentrations leads rapidly to collapse, respiratory
paralysis, coma cardiac arrhythmias and death
Eye exposure causes pain, blepharospasm, lacrimation, conjunctivitis and
photophobia
Dermal contact can result in itching, pain, redness and skin discolouration
Environment
Hazard Identification
Standard (UK) Dangerous Goods Emergency Action Codes(a)
UN
1053
EAC
2WE
APP
A(cf)
Hydrogen sulphide
Use fine water spray.
Wear liquid-tight chemical protective clothing in combination
with breathing apparatus*.
Danger that the substance can be violently or explosively
reactive.
Spillages and decontamination run-off should be prevented
from entering drains and watercourses.
There may be a public safety hazard outside the immediate
area of the incident**.
Gas-tight chemical protective suit with breathing apparatus.
Liquefied flammable gas with a boiling point below -20 oC.
Class
2.3
Toxic gases
Sub
risks
2.1
Flammable gases
263
Hazards
HIN
UN United Nations number; EAC Emergency Action Code; APP Additional Personal
Protection; HIN - Hazard Identification Number
*Liquid-tight chemical protective clothing (BS 8428) in combination with self-contained open
circuit positive pressure compressed air breathing apparatus (BS EN 137).
** People should stay indoors with windows and doors closed, ignition sources should be
eliminated and ventilation stopped. Non-essential personnel should move at least 250 m
away from the incident.
Dangerous Goods Emergency Action Code List 2011. National Chemical Emergency Centre
(NCEC). The Stationary Office, London.
Classification
Risk phrases
Safety phrases
F+
Very flammable
T+
Very toxic
R12
Extremely flammable
R26
R50
S1/2
S9
S16
S36
S38
S45
S61
Flam. Gas 1
Press. Gas
Hazard
Class and
Category
Hazard
Statement
Acute Tox. 2
Aquatic Acute
1
H220
H330
Fatal if inhaled.
H400
Signal
DANGER
Words
* Implemented in the EU on 20 January 2009.
Physicochemical Properties
CAS number
7783-06-4
Molecular weight
34.0
Empirical formula
H2S
Common synonyms
Gas
Volatility
Specific gravity
1.19 (air = 1)
Flammability
Highly flammable
4.3 %
46 %
Reaction or degradation
products
Odour
Water solubility
Reactivity
S
Structure
(a,b,c)
Table references
Hydrogen sulphide (HAZARDTEXT Hazard Management). In: Klasco RK (Ed): TOMES System,
Thomson Micromedex, Greenwood Village, Colorado, USA. (electronic version). RightAnswer.com,
Inc., Midland, MI, USA, Available at: http://www.rightanswerknowledge.com (accessed 02/2013).
b
International Programme on Chemical Safety (IPCS): Hydrogen sulphide. International Chemical
Safety Card: 0165,.2000, WHO: Geneva.
c
The Merck Index (14th Edition). Entry 4800:Hydrogen sulphide, 2006.
mg m-3
10 - 20
15 - 30
50 - 100
REFERENCES
70 140
150 - 250
210 - 350
320 - 530
450 - 750
530 - 1000
750 - 1400
1000 - 2000
1400 - 2800
a
a
a
Air Quality Guidelines for Europe. World Health Organization Regional Office for Europe,
Copenhagen WHO Regional Publications, European Series, No. 91, Second Edition, 2000.
ERPG-1*
ERPG-2**
ERPG-3***
Listed value
(ppm)
0.1
30
100
Calculated value
(mg m-3)
0.14
41.72
139.06
* Maximum airborne concentration below which it is believed that nearly all individuals could be
exposed for up to 1 hr without experiencing other than mild transient adverse health effects or
perceiving a clearly defined, objectionable odour.
** Maximum airborne concentration below which it is believed that nearly all individuals could be
exposed for up to 1 hr without experiencing or developing irreversible or other serious health effects
or symptoms which could impair an individual's ability to take protective action.
*** Maximum airborne concentration below which it is believed that nearly all individuals could be
exposed for up to 1 hr without experiencing or developing life-threatening health effects.
AEGL-1
AEGL-2
AEGL-3
10 min
0.75
41
76
30 min
0.60
32
59
ppm
60 min
0.51
27
50
4 hr
0.36
20
37
8 hr
0.33
17
31
The level of the chemical in air at or above which the general population could experience notable
discomfort.
The level of the chemical in air at or above which there may be irreversible or other serious longlasting effects or impaired ability to escape.
The level of the chemical in air at or above which the general population could experience lifethreatening health effects or death.
American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA). 2011 Emergency Response Planning Guideline
Values.
http://www.aiha.org/insideaiha/GuidelineDevelopment/ERPG/Documents/2011erpgweelhandbook_tab
le-only.pdf (accessed 01/2013).
b
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Acute Exposure Guideline Levels,
http://www.epa.gov/oppt/aegl/pubs/chemlist.htm (accessed 01/2013).
Occupational Standards
LTEL(8 hour reference period): 5 ppm (7 mg m-3)
WEL(a)
STEL(15 min reference period):10 ppm (14 mg m-3)
DRINKING
WATER QUALITY GUIDELINE(b)
(c)
WEL Workplace exposure limit; LTEL - Long-term exposure limit; STEL Short-term
exposure limit
Health Effects
Major Route of Exposure(a)
Toxic by inhalation
Ambulance staff, paramedics and emergency department staff treating chemicallycontaminated casualties should be equipped with Department of Health approved,
gas-tight (Respirex) decontamination suits based on EN466:1995, EN12941:1998
and prEN943-1:2001, where appropriate.
Decontamination should be performed using local protocols in designated areas such
as a decontamination cubicle with adequate ventilation.
Dermal Exposure(a)
Ocular Exposure(a)
Inhalation(a)
Ingestion
Not applicable
This document from the PHE Centre for Radiation, Chemical and Environmental Hazards reflects
understanding and evaluation of the current scientific evidence as presented and referenced in this
document.
Hydrogen Sulphide
Toxicological Overview
Key Points
Kinetics and metabolism
Hydrogen sulphide is a gas that is rapidly absorbed by the lungs into the
bloodstream.
It is widely distributed throughout the body.
Metabolism of hydrogen sulphide occurs by oxidation, methylation or reaction with
metalloproteins and the principal product is sulphate.
Hydrogen sulphide is excreted rapidly from the body in the form of sulphate in urine.
Limited data suggest that effects from repeated exposure are similar to those for
acute exposure, with respiratory, neurological and ocular effects at high
concentrations.
There are no adequate data on chronic toxicity/carcinogenicity.
Toxicological Overview
Summary of Health Effects
Hydrogen sulphide is a gas and, therefore, inhalation is the most relevant route of exposure
to humans [1].
Acute inhalation exposure to low concentrations of hydrogen sulphide may result in irritation
to the mucous membranes of the eye and respiratory tract. Acute exposure to high
concentrations of hydrogen sulphide results in depression of the nervous system, loss of
consciousness and respiratory paralysis. Other health effects have been reported, the most
sensitive being the respiratory, neurological and ocular system [1, 2].
Data on the effects in humans following repeated exposure are limited and difficult to
interpret because of co-exposure to other chemicals. There is some limited evidence to
suggest an association with spontaneous abortions, but the effects seen were small and
confounded by exposure to other chemicals, therefore no conclusions could be drawn.
Studies in experimental animals exposed to high concentrations of hydrogen sulphide via
inhalation have resulted in respiratory and cardiovascular effects. The most sensitive target
organ in animals following acute inhalation exposure was the respiratory tract [2]. No chronic
studies have been reported in experimental animals exposed to hydrogen sulphide.
Hydrogen sulphide is not considered to be mutagenic or a reproductive or developmental
toxicant.
There are inadequate data on the carcinogenicity of hydrogen sulphide in humans or
experimental animals. Hydrogen sulphide is not listed as a carcinogen by the International
Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) [3].
ppm
0.008
2
4
5 or 10
5-29
28
>140
>560
700
4-21
20
>100
>402
502
Ingestion
No data could be located regarding the human health effects following acute oral exposure
to hydrogen sulphide, but exposure by this route is unlikely.
Strain
Sex
Number
Mouse
CB20
Male
30
Hydrogen
sulphide
concentration
mg/m3 (ppm)
139 (100)
Mouse
NMR1
Female
20
139 (100)
Mouse
Not
specified
Not
specified
Not
specified
Male
1006 (722)
2609 (1872)
10 minutes
2307 (1655)
3 minutes
Rat
Not
specified
Not
specified
SpragueDawley
F-344
2 hours/day
(1-4 days)
50 minutes
F-344
Male
697-976 (500700)
558 (400)
4 hours
Rat
Rat
Wistar
albino
Japanese
white
Male
Not
specified
Not
specified
10
1115 (800)
12 minutes
697-1394
(500-1000)
30 minutes
Mouse
Rat
Rabbit
Not
specified
Exposure
time
Effect
2 hours
No
mortality
No
mortality
Mortality
(100%)
Mortality
(100%)
Mortality
(100%)
Mortality
(100%)
No
mortality
Mortality
(100%)
Mortality
(100%)
4 hours
Several studies have been carried out in F344 rats and various parameters reported.
Following exposure to 0, 70, 279 and 558 mg/m3 (0, 50, 200 or 400 ppm) hydrogen sulphide
for 4 hours, cytochrome c oxidase activity in lung mitochondria was significantly decreased
Toxicological Overview: Page 5 of 10
at all concentrations, with activity only returning to normal levels within 24 hours in animals
exposed to <279 mg/m3 (200 ppm) hydrogen sulphide. The viability of pulmonary alveolar
macrophages decreased in the lung lavage fluid of rats exposed to the highest concentration
and a complete abolition of Zymosan-induced stimulation of respiratory rates of pulmonary
alveolar macrophages was observed in rats exposed to the two highest concentrations. A
NOAEL of 70 mg/m3 could be identified from this study.
In the same study, cellularity of nasal lavage fluid increased at all concentrations and
enzyme activity, indicative of pulmonary epithelium toxicity, increased in rats administered
the highest two doses of hydrogen sulphide. A LOAEL of 14 mg/m3 was derived [2].
Male F344 rats were also exposed to hydrogen sulphide at doses of 0, 116 or 612 mg/m3 (0,
83 and 439 ppm) or 0, 523 or 556 mg/m3 (0, 375 and 399 ppm) for 4 hours. Mild perivascular
oedema was observed in rats exposed to 116 mg/m3 hydrogen sulphide whereas pulmonary
oedema was evident at higher concentrations, as well as effects on bronchiolar epithelium
and alveoli and a decrease in the number of viable pulmonary alveolar macrophage cells [2].
Male Wistar rats were exposed to 0 or 105 mg/m3 (0 and 75 ppm) hydrogen sulphide for 1
hour, resulting in a decrease in heart rate and slight pulmonary congestion. Conversely,
Wistar rats (sex not specified) exposed to 140-279 mg/m3 (100-200 ppm) for 1 hour showed
increased heart and respiratory rates, as well as changes in a number of histological and
biochemical parameters in the respiratory tissues and fluids [1, 2].
Rabbits and rats (sex and strain not specified) exposed to 100 mg/m3 (72 ppm) hydrogen
sulphide for 1.5 hours or 1115 mg/m3 (800 ppm) for 20 minutes were found to lose
consciousness [2].
Ingestion
No data could be located regarding the health effects following acute oral exposure to
hydrogen sulphide in experimental animals.
Dermal / ocular exposure
F344 rats (sex not specified) were exposed to 0, 279 or 558 mg/m3 (0, 200 and 400 ppm)
hydrogen sulphide for 4 hours [2]. Epiphora (watery eye) was observed in rats exposed to
the highest concentration. A NOAEL of 279 mg/m3 was derived from this study.
However, this was not statistically significant. It is important to note here that the chemicals
detected at these places of employment included sulphur dioxide, hydrogen sulphide and
carbon disulphide, the latter compound being a recognised reproductive toxicant.
References
1.
2.
Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR), Toxicological Profile
for Hydrogen Sulfide. 2006, US Department of Health and Human Services: Atlanta,
US.
3.
4.
Health and Safety Executive (HSE), EH40/2005 Workplace Exposure Limits. 2005.
5.
6.
7.
8.
This document from the PHE Centre for Radiation, Chemical and Environmental Hazards reflects
understanding and evaluation of the current scientific evidence as presented and referenced in this
document.