The following information was generated from the 

Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB), 

a database of the National Library of Medicine's TOXNET system 

(http://toxnet.nlm.nih.gov) on August 30, 2007. 

Query: The chemical name was identified. 

The following terms were added from ChemIDplus: 

zwavelwaterstof 

sulfureted hydrogen 

sulfur hydride 

stink damp 

siarkowodor 

schwefelwasserstoff 

idrogeno solforato 

acide sulfhydrique 

hydrogen sulphide 

CAS Registry Number: 7783-06-4 

1 

NAME: HYDROGEN SULFIDE 

HSN: 576 

RN: 7783-06-4 

HUMAN HEALTH EFFECTS: 

EVIDENCE FOR CARCINOGENICITY: 

 There are no published reports of carcinogenesis, mutagenesis, or 

 teratogenesis attributable to hydrogen sulfide exposure. [Sullivan, J.B. 

 Jr., G.R. Krieger (eds.). Hazardous Materials Toxicology-Clinical 

 Principles of Environmental Health. Baltimore, MD: Williams and Wilkins, 

 1992., p. 714]**PEER REVIEWED** 

HUMAN TOXICITY EXCERPTS: 

 SYMPTOMATOLOGY: A. LOW TO MODERATELY HIGH VAPOR CONCENTRATIONS: 1. 

 IRRITANT ACTIONS. EYES: PAINFUL CONJUNCTIVITIS, PHOTOPHOBIA, LACRIMATION, 

 & CORNEAL OPACITY. RESP TRACT: RHINITIS WITH ANOSMIA, 

 TRACHEOBRONCHITIS WITH PAIN AND COUGH, PULMONARY EDEMA WITH DYSPNEA, 

 SOMETIMES LATE BRONCHOPNEUMONIA. SKIN: DIRECT CONTACT (AS SOLN) MAY 

 PRODUCE ERYTHEMA & PAIN. B. VERY HIGH VAPOR CONCENTRATIONS: 1. SUDDEN 

 COLLAPSE & UNCONSCIOUSNESS, WITH OR WITHOUT A WARNING CRY. 2. DEATH 

 FROM PROMPT RESP PARALYSIS, USUALLY WITH TERMINAL ASPHYXIAL CONVULSION. 3. 

 AFTER SUBLETHAL EXPOSURES COMA MAY DISAPPEAR PROMPTLY, BUT FULL RECOVERY 

 IS USUALLY SLOW; THE PATIENT MAY HAVE A RESIDUAL COUGH, CARDIAC 

 DILATATION, SLOW PULSE, PERIPHERAL ... /NEUROPATHY/, ALBUMINURIA AND SOME 

 DEGREE OF AMNESIA OR OF PSYCHIC DISTURBANCE. RECOVERY IS EVENTUALLY 

 COMPLETE IN MOST NONFATAL CASES. [Gosselin, R.E., R.P. Smith, H.C. Hodge. 

 Clinical Toxicology of Commercial Products. 5th ed. Baltimore: Williams 

 and Wilkins, 1984., p. III-200]**PEER REVIEWED** 

 A CASE OF POLYNEURITIS AND ENCEPHALOPATHY FROM 1 DAY EXPOSURE TO A CONCN 

 INSUFFICIENT TO CAUSE LOSS OF CONSCIOUSNESS HAS BEEN REPORTED. [American 

 Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists. Documentation of the 

 Threshold Limit Values and Biological Exposure Indices. 5th ed. 

 Cincinnati, OH: American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists, 

 1986., p. 318]**PEER REVIEWED** 

Page 1 of 39

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 ANALYSIS OF RETICULOCYTES FOR DELTA-AMINO-LEVULINIC ACID SYNTHASE (AMLEV 

 SYNTHASE) AND HEME SYNTHASE ACTIVITY IN WORKERS IN PULP PRODUCTION WITH 

 LOW-LEVEL HYDROGEN SULFIDE AND METHYLMERCAPTAN EXPOSURE SHOWED DECREASED 

 ACTIVITIES. ERYTHROCYTE PROTOPORPHYRIN CONCENTRATION WAS BELOW THE CONTROL 

 RANGE IN 7 CASES. LOW AMLEV SYNTHASE AND HEME SYNTHASE ACTIVITIES WERE 

 FOUND IN 1 PATIENT WITH HYDROGEN SULFIDE INTOXICATION 1 WEEK AFTER THE 

 EVENT. THE ACTIVITIES HAD RETURNED TO THE CONTROL LEVELS 2 MONTHS LATER, 

 THOUGH ERYTHROCYTE PROTOPORPHYRIN REMAINED ABNORMALLY LOW. IN VITRO, 

 HYDROGEN SULFIDE INHIBITED HEME SYNTHASE WITH AN APPARENT KI OF 3.4 

 MMOL/L. SULFIDE ANION INHIBITED AMLEV SYNTHASE ACTIVITY 85% AT 10 MMOL/L. 

 [TENHUNEN P ET AL; CLIN SCI 64 (2): 187-91 (1983)]**PEER REVIEWED** 

 SPONTANEOUS ABORTIONS WERE ANALYZED IN AN INDUSTRIAL COMMUNITY IN FINLAND 

 IN WOMEN WHO WERE EMPLOYED IN RAYON TEXTILE JOBS AND PAPER PRODUCTS JOBS. 

 AN INCREASED RATE OF SPONTANEOUS ABORTIONS WAS NOTED IN ALL SOCIOECONOMIC 

 CLASSES IN AREAS WHERE THE MEAN ANNUAL LEVEL OF HYDROGEN SULFIDE EXCEEDED 

 4 UG/CU M. HOWEVER, THE DIFFERENCE (TOTAL RATES 7.6 AND 9.3, RESPECTIVELY) 

 WAS NOT STATISTICALLY SIGNIFICANT. [HEMMINKI K, NIEMI ML; INT ARCH OCCUP 

 ENVIRON HEALTH 51 (1): 55-63 (1982)]**PEER REVIEWED** 

 HYDROGEN SULFIDE IS ASSOCIATED WITH DEATHS CAUSED BY FERMENTING MANURE. 

 [MORSE DL ET AL; JAMA 25 (1): 63-4 (1981)]**PEER REVIEWED** 

 HYDROGEN SULFIDE CAN PENETRATE SKIN & CAUSE TOXICOSIS IN PEOPLE 

 EXPOSED TO LARGE CONCN OVER LONG PERIOD ... SPEED OF ONSET OF ACUTE 

 HYDROGEN SULFIDE POISONING & POTENCY OF HYDROGEN SULFIDE ARE ALMOST 

 SAME AS FOR CYANIDE GAS ... [Jones, L.M., et al. Veterinary Pharmacology 

 & Therapeutics. 4th ed. Ames: Iowa State University Press, 1977., p. 

 1161]**PEER REVIEWED** 

 Low concentrations of 20-150 ppm cause irritation of the eyes; slightly 

 higher concentrations may cause irritation of the upper respiratory tract, 

 and if exposure is prolonged, pulmonary edema may result. The irritant 

 action has been explained on the basis that hydrogen sulfide combines with 

 the alkali present in moist surface tissues to form sodium sulfide, a 

 caustic. [Lewis, R.J. Sax's Dangerous Properties of Industrial Materials. 

 9th ed. Volumes 1-3. New York, NY: Van Nostrand Reinhold, 1996., p. 

 1843]**PEER REVIEWED** 

 ... OF 174 EXPOSURES TO HYDROGEN SULFIDE IN A HEAVY WATER PLANT ... EYE 

 IRRITATION WAS RELATIVELY UNCOMMON. MORE COMMON FINDINGS WERE NERVOUSNESS, 

 COUGH, NAUSEA, HEADACHE & INSOMNIA. [American Conference of 

 Governmental Industrial Hygienists, Inc. Documentation of the Threshold 

 Limit Values and Biological Exposure Indices. 6th ed. Volumes I, II, III. 

 Cincinnati, OH: ACGIH, 1991., p. 787]**PEER REVIEWED** 

 As concentrations approach 100 ppm,...odor becomes imperceptible because 

 of olfactory fatigue. At these levels, the gas disrupts cellular 

 respiration and may cause profound respiratory depression as well as 

 cardiac dysrhythmias. [Zenz, C., O.B. Dickerson, E.P. Horvath. 

 Occupational Medicine. 3rd ed. St. Louis, MO., 1994, p. 886]**PEER 

 REVIEWED** 

 At a concentration of 150 ppm, the olfactory nerve is paralyzed. [USEPA; 

 Health and Environmental Effects Profile for Hydrogen Sulfide p.118-8 

 (1980) ECAO-CIN-026A]**PEER REVIEWED** 

 Hydrogen sulfide is an extremely hazardous gas which can be immediately 

 life threatening at high concentrations (300 mg/cu m or 200 ppm). [NIOSH: 

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file://G:\ASB Chemical Assessments\Hydrogen Sulphide\References\HSDB 2007.htm 9/25/2008
 Occupational Exposure to Hydrogen Sulfide p.79 (1977) DHEW (NIOSH) 

 Publication # 77-158]**PEER REVIEWED** 

 1400-2,800 mg/cu m inhalation < 20 min number of subjects 342, 

 hospitalization of 320, death of 22, residual nervous system damage in 4. 

 [McCabe LC, Clayton GD; Arch Ind Hyg Occup Med (6): 199-213 (1952) as 

 cited in NIOSH: Occupational Exposure to Hydrogen Sulfide; p.61 (l977) 

 DHEW (NIOSH) Publication # 77-l58]**PEER REVIEWED** 

 Concentrations of 20-50 ppm irritates the eyes. Inhalation of 500 ppm for 

 30 minutes produces headache, dizziness, excitement, staggering, and 

 gastroenteric disorders followed in some cases by bronchitis or bronchial 

 pneumonia. Concentrations above 600 ppm can be fatal within 30 minutes 

 through respiratory paralyses. [Matheson; Guide to Safe Handling of 

 Compressed Gases 2nd ED p.15 (1983)]**PEER REVIEWED** 

 Prolonged exposure may cause pulmonary edema at 250 pp. [Sullivan, J.B. 

 Jr., G.R. Krieger (eds.). Hazardous Materials Toxicology-Clinical 

 Principles of Environmental Health. Baltimore, MD: Williams and Wilkins, 

 1992., p. 712]**PEER REVIEWED** 

 AT HIGH CONCN HYDROGEN SULFIDE PRODUCES PARALYSIS OF OLFACTORY NERVES 

 (ANOSMIA) & ODOR DETECTION IS INEFFECTIVE AS A WARNING FOR HYDROGEN 

 SULFIDE. **PEER REVIEWED** 

 A group of 9 men and 10 women inhaled medical air or 10 ppm hydrogen 

 sulfide for 15 min during cycle exercise at 50% of their maximal aerobic 

 power. Routine pulmonary function tests were administered at rest and 

 immediately after the two exposure conditions. No significant changes in 

 pulmonary function variables were /noted/ and none of the subjects 

 experienced any signs or symptoms as a result of hydrogen sulfide 

 exposure. Oral inhalation of 10 ppm hydrogen sulfide at an elevated 

 metabolic and ventilation rate does not significantly alter pulmonary 

 function in healthy men and women. [Bhambhani Y, et al; J Occupat Environ 

 Med 38 (10): 1012-17 (1996)]**PEER REVIEWED** 

 In the 19th century, deaths from acute exposure to hydrogen sulfide 

 portended permanent brain injury from non-lethal /exposures/. The 

 neurobehavioral effects of H2S exposures lasting from moments to years 

 were compared in 16 healthy subjects, 2 yr to 22 yr afterward. 

 Neurophysiologic and psychologic tests were used to appraise mood status 

 and frequencies of 35 symptoms. Functions and frequencies, described as 

 percent predicted adjusted for age, sex, educational achievement, and 

 other factors, were compared with those in an unexposed population. ... 

 Frequencies were elevated for 31 of 33 symptoms. Balance was impaired 

 (246% predicted with eyes closed, 159% predicted with eyes open), and 

 simple and choice reaction times were prolonged (151% and 130% predicted, 

 respectively). Visual fields performance was decr to 72% predicted (right) 

 and 55% predicted (left), color discrimination was abnormal, and hearing 

 was decr.Psychologic domains showed cognitive disability, reduced 

 perceptual motor speed, impaired verbal recall and remote memory, and 

 abnormal mood status. ... [Kilburn KH; South Med J 90 (10): 997-1006 

 (1997)]**PEER REVIEWED** 

 Respiratory symptoms and lung function in relation to hydrogen sulfide 

 exposure was assessed in oil and natural gas workers in Alberta, Canada. 

 175 workers were questioned about gas exposures strong enough to cause 

 respiratory symptoms and those that caused loss of consciousness 

 (knockdowns); assessments included spirometry and skin prick testing. 

 Exposures strong enough to cause symptoms were reported by 34% of the 

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 workers. These exposures were not associated with lower spirometric values 

 or incr prevalence of symptoms. Exposures strong enough to cause 

 unconsciousness were reported by 8% of the workers. while these knockdowns 

 were not associated with lower spirometric values, they were associated 

 with excesses of shortness of breath while hurrying, wheeze with chest 

 tightness, and attacks of wheeze. Respiratory symptoms were consistent 

 with bronchial hyperactivity. ... [Hessel PA, et al; Amer J Indust Med 31 

 (5): 554-7 (1997)]**PEER REVIEWED** 

 The acute effects of hydrogen sulfide (H2S) on the cardiovascular, 

 metabolic and biochemical responses of exercising men and women were 

 /evaluated/. The maximal aerobic power (VO2max) of 15 male and 13 female 

 subjects was determined during the first exercise session. During two 

 subsequent exercise sessions, the subjects inhaled either medical air or 

 an H2S dose of 10 ppm while performing at 50% of their VO2max. A number of 

 physiological parameters were monitored, including blood pressure and 

 expiratory gasses. Muscle biopsies, blood analyses, and tissue analyses 

 were performed. Muscle lactate, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), citrate 

 synthase (CS) and cytochrome oxidase quantities were analyzed. H2S 

 inhalation had no significant effect on partial pressures of oxygen or 

 carbon dioxide, hemoglobin saturation, or arterial blood pH. H2S 

 inhalation significantly reduced the VO2 and significantly incr the delta 

 blood in both men and women. Neither heart rate nor blood pressure was 

 affected by H2S inhalation. Muscle lactate incr, although not 

 significantly in men and women exposed to H2S. The LDH and CS activities 

 decr by about 7% each after H2S inhalation. Following H2S inhalation, 

 cytochrome oxidase activity decr by 16% in men and incr by 11% in women. 

 ... [Bhambhani Y, et al; J Occupat Environ Med 39 (2): 122-9 (1997)]**PEER 

 REVIEWED** 

HUMAN TOXICITY VALUES: 

 Man: severe toxic effects 200 ppm = 280 mg/cu m 1 min; symptoms of illness 

 50 ppm = 70 mg/cu m; unsatisfactory: 20 ppm = 28 mg/cu m [Verschueren, K. 

 Handbook of Environmental Data of Organic Chemicals. 2nd ed. New York, NY: 

 Van Nostrand Reinhold Co., 1983., p. 745]**PEER REVIEWED** 

 Man: lethal: 600 ppm/30 min; 800 ppm, immediate /lethality/ [Verschueren, 

 K. Handbook of Environmental Data of Organic Chemicals. 2nd ed. New York, 

 NY: Van Nostrand Reinhold Co., 1983., p. 745]**PEER REVIEWED** 

 Lethal blood concentration: 0.092 mg %. [Winek, C.L. Drug and Chemical 

 Blood-Level Data 1985. Pittsburgh, PA: Allied Fischer Scientific, 1985., 

 p. ]**PEER REVIEWED** 

SKIN, EYE AND RESPIRATORY IRRITATIONS: 

 The direct action of H2S on mucous membranes is usually observed first by 

 symptoms of eye irritation, resulting from local inflammation of the 

 conjunctiva and cornea. Acute inflammation of conjunctiva accompanied by 

 lacrimation and mucopurulent exudate is not uncommon. In severe cases, 

 corneal erosion with blurred vision may also occur. Occasionally, corneal 

 ulceration may occur, resulting in impaired vision. Since the cornea is 

 affected together with the conjunctiva in many instances, 

 keratoconjunctivitis rather than conjunctivitis more accurately describes 

 the ophthalmologic effects of H2S exposure. In general, irritation of the 

 eyes occurs at a concentration of H2S of 50 ppm; however, conjunctivitis 

 or "sore eyes" have been observed upon exposures in the range of 5-100 

 ppm. [Sullivan, J.B. Jr., G.R. Krieger (eds.). Hazardous Materials 

 Toxicology-Clinical Principles of Environmental Health. Baltimore, MD: 

 Williams and Wilkins, 1992., p. 713]**PEER REVIEWED** 

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 Eye and respiratory tract irritation is noticeable at 50 ppm. ... 

 [Sullivan, J.B. Jr., G.R. Krieger (eds.). Hazardous Materials 

 Toxicology-Clinical Principles of Environmental Health. Baltimore, MD: 

 Williams and Wilkins, 1992., p. 712]**PEER REVIEWED** 

 Irritant to eyes and mucuous membranes ... [Lewis, R.J. Sax's Dangerous 

 Properties of Industrial Materials. 9th ed. Volumes 1-3. New York, NY: Van 

 Nostrand Reinhold, 1996., p. 1843]**PEER REVIEWED** 

 The irritant effect of H2S extends rather uniformly throughout the entire 

 respiratory tract, resulting in rhinitis, pharyngitis, laryngitis, 

 bronchitis, and pneumonia. Cough, sore throat, hoarseness, runny nose, and 

 chest tightness are the most common symptoms of exposure between 50 and 

 250 ppm. [Sullivan, J.B. Jr., G.R. Krieger (eds.). Hazardous Materials 

 Toxicology-Clinical Principles of Environmental Health. Baltimore, MD: 

 Williams and Wilkins, 1992., p. 713]**PEER REVIEWED** 

MEDICAL SURVEILLANCE: 

 Placement medical examinations should evaluate any existing neurological, 

 eye and respiratory conditions and any history of fainting seizures. It is 

 recommended by NIOSH that placement and periodic examinations (once every 

 3 years) be made available to all workers occupationally exposed to 

 hydrogen sulfide. [Sittig, M. Handbook of Toxic and Hazardous Chemicals 

 and Carcinogens, 1985. 2nd ed. Park Ridge, NJ: Noyes Data Corporation, 

 1985., p. 513]**PEER REVIEWED** 

PROBABLE ROUTES OF HUMAN EXPOSURE: 

 Inhalation of gas, ingestion, eye, and skin contact. [Sittig, M. Handbook 

 of Toxic and Hazardous Chemicals and Carcinogens, 1985. 2nd ed. Park 

 Ridge, NJ: Noyes Data Corporation, 1985., p. 513]**PEER REVIEWED** 

 MAJORITY OF OCCUPATIONAL EXPOSURES TO HYDROGEN SULFIDE RESULTED FROM ITS 

 OCCURRENCE IN PETROLEUM, NATURAL GAS, SOIL, SEWER GAS & AS BYPRODUCT 

 OF CHEM REACTIONS, SUCH AS MAY TAKE PLACE IN VISCOSE RAYON & CERTAIN 

 LEATHER TANNING PROCESSES. [American Conference of Governmental Industrial 

 Hygienists, Inc. Documentation of the Threshold Limit Values and 

 Biological Exposure Indices. 6th ed. Volumes I, II, III. Cincinnati, OH: 

 ACGIH, 1991., p. 786]**PEER REVIEWED** 

 ... /GAS/ RELEASED FROM SLURRY TANKS IN PIGGERIES WHEN THE SLURRY HAS 

 AGITATED PRIOR TO PUMPING. UNDER THESE CONDITIONS GAS CAN BUILD UP TO 

 TOXIC LEVEL (80-800 PPM); ON OCCASIONS MEN WORKING ON SITE HAVE BEEN 

 OVERCOME. [Humphreys, D.J. Veterinary Toxicology. 3rd ed. London, England: 

 Bailliere Tindell, 1988., p. 83]**PEER REVIEWED** 

 LIQUID MANURE STORAGE IS A COMMON COMPONENT OF CONFINEMENT SYSTEMS FOR 

 SWINE, BEEF, DAIRY, AND VEAL OPERATIONS. MORE THAN 85,000 PEOPLE IN IOWA 

 AND 500,000 IN THE REST OF THE THE US WORK IN LIVESTOCK CONFINEMENT 

 SYSTEMS THAT USE LIQUID MANURE STORAGE. ... TOXIC GASES EMANATING FROM THE 

 LIQUID MANURE /MAY INCLUDE HYDROGEN SULFIDE/ [DONHAM KJ ET AL; J OCCUP MED 

 24 (2): 142-5 (1982)]**PEER REVIEWED** 

 GAS EXPOSURE RISK FROM COAL GASIFICATION PRODUCTS AT THE UCG PROJECT, 

 RAWLINS, WYOMING IS DISCUSSED. [MOORE J ET AL; PROC INT GAS RES CONF, 2ND: 

 1645-50 (1982)]**PEER REVIEWED** 

EMERGENCY MEDICAL TREATMENT: 

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EMERGENCY MEDICAL TREATMENT: 

 

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Portions of the POISINDEX(R) and MEDITEXT(R) database have been provided here 

for general reference. THE COMPLETE POISINDEX(R) DATABASE OR MEDITEXT(R) 

DATABASE SHOULD BE CONSULTED FOR ASSISTANCE IN THE DIAGNOSIS OR TREATMENT OF 

SPECIFIC CASES. The use of the POISINDEX(R) and MEDITEXT(R) databases is at your 

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MICROMEDEX. All Rights Reserved. Any duplication, replication, "downloading," 

sale, redistribution or other use for commercial purposes is a violation of 

Micromedex' rights and is strictly prohibited.<p>The following Overview, *** 

HYDROGEN SULFIDE ***, is relevant for this HSDB record chemical. 

LIFE SUPPORT: 

 o This overview assumes that basic life support measures 

 have been instituted. 

CLINICAL EFFECTS: 

 0.2.1 SUMMARY OF EXPOSURE 

 0.2.1.1 ACUTE EXPOSURE 

 A) WITH POISONING/EXPOSURE 

 1) Hydrogen sulfide is a highly toxic, flammable, 

 colorless gas produced by decaying organic matter and 

 has a characteristic odor of rotten eggs at low 

 concentrations. In higher concentrations (e.g., 50 to 

 150 ppm) the sense of smell is paralyzed. 

 a) Exposure to concentrations approaching 250 ppm causes 

 irritation of mucus membranes, conjunctivitis, 

 photophobia, lacrimation, corneal opacity, rhinitis, 

 bronchitis, cyanosis, and acute lung injury. 

 b) At concentrations of 250 to 500 ppm, signs and 

 symptoms include headache, nausea, vomiting, 

 diarrhea, vertigo, amnesia, dizziness, apnea, 

 palpitations, tachycardia, hypotension, muscle 

 cramps, weakness, disorientation, and coma. 

 c) At concentrations of 750 to 1000 ppm, victims may 

 experience abrupt physical collapse or "knock down". 

 Higher concentrations may also result in result in 

 respiratory paralysis, asphyxial seizures, and death. 

 The mortality rate is in the range of 6 percent. 

 1) Characteristics of a fatal exposure are rapid "knock 

 down," respiratory depression, tremors, blurred 

 vision, cyanosis, seizures and tachycardia. 

 0.2.3 VITAL SIGNS 

 0.2.3.1 ACUTE EXPOSURE 

 A) WITH POISONING/EXPOSURE 

 1) Patients may present acutely with bradycardia, 

 tachycardia, hyperventilation, respiratory depression 

 even to the point of apnea, and/or hypo-/hypertension. 

 0.2.4 HEENT 

 0.2.4.1 ACUTE EXPOSURE 

 A) WITH POISONING/EXPOSURE 

 1) Injection of the conjunctivae, seeing colored halos, 

 ocular pain, corneal bullae, blurred vision and 

 blepharospasm may be noted following exposure to 150 

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 to 300 ppm. 

 0.2.4.2 CHRONIC EXPOSURE 

 A) Rhinitis may be seen with chronic exposure. 

 0.2.5 CARDIOVASCULAR 

 0.2.5.1 ACUTE EXPOSURE 

 A) WITH POISONING/EXPOSURE 

 1) Tachycardia, bradycardia, cardiac dysrhythmias, and 

 either hyper or hypotension may be seen. 

 0.2.6 RESPIRATORY 

 0.2.6.1 ACUTE EXPOSURE 

 A) WITH POISONING/EXPOSURE 

 1) Respiratory depression, cyanosis, pulmonary edema, 

 bronchitis, and dyspnea may be noted following 

 exposure to non-fatal concentrations. 

 2) Exposure to high concentrations will result in rapid 

 respiratory paralysis leading to sudden collapse. 

 0.2.7 NEUROLOGIC 

 0.2.7.1 ACUTE EXPOSURE 

 A) WITH POISONING/EXPOSURE 

 1) Asphyxial seizures, coma, and death associated with 

 rapid respiratory paralysis may be noted following 

 exposure to high concentrations. 

 2) Headache, sweating, vertigo, anosmia, irritability, 

 staggering gait, disorientation, somnolence, weakness, 

 confusion, and delirium may be noted following 

 exposure to non-fatal levels. 

 0.2.8 GASTROINTESTINAL 

 0.2.8.1 ACUTE EXPOSURE 

 A) WITH POISONING/EXPOSURE 

 1) Nausea and vomiting may occur. Weight loss can be seen 

 with chronic exposure. 

 0.2.10 GENITOURINARY 

 0.2.10.1 ACUTE EXPOSURE 

 A) WITH POISONING/EXPOSURE 

 1) Exposure may rarely cause albuminuria and hematuria. 

 0.2.11 ACID-BASE 

 0.2.11.1 ACUTE EXPOSURE 

 A) WITH POISONING/EXPOSURE 

 1) Transient lactic acidosis may be noted following 

 significant exposure. 

 0.2.14 DERMATOLOGIC 

 0.2.14.1 ACUTE EXPOSURE 

 A) WITH POISONING/EXPOSURE 

 1) Skin exposure may result in severe pain, itching, and 

 erythema, especially in moist areas. Cyanosis may be 

 noted following severe exposure. 

 0.2.20 REPRODUCTIVE HAZARDS 

 A) Spontaneous abortions have occurred after exposure to 

 life-threatening concentrations. 

 0.2.21 CARCINOGENICITY 

 0.2.21.1 IARC CATEGORY 

 A) IARC Carcinogenicity Ratings for CAS7783-06-4 (IARC, 

 2004): 

 1) Not Listed 

 0.2.21.2 HUMAN OVERVIEW 

 A) In Rotorua, New Zealand (an active geothermal zone 

 where hydrogen sulfide is released to the atmosphere), 

 cancer deaths were not related to the extent of 

 hydrogen sulfide exposure and there was no overall 

 excess mortality found. 

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 0.2.22 GENOTOXICITY 

 A) Hydrogen sulfide exposure was associated with an 

 increased risk of chromosome aberrations in chemical 

 workers. Other factors may be involved in these 

 multiply-exposed cohort populations. 

LABORATORY: 

 A) Monitor vital signs. Monitor pulse oximetry and/or 

 arterial blood gases and chest radiograph in patients 

 with respiratory signs or symptoms. 

 B) Measuring blood sulfide and thiosulfate levels or urinary 

 thiosulfate levels may be performed to document the 

 exposure but are not useful for emergent diagnosis or to 

 guide emergency treatment. 

 C) Monitor methemoglobin levels if nitrite antidotes are 

 administered. 

TREATMENT OVERVIEW: 

 0.4.2 ORAL EXPOSURE 

 A) Hydrogen sulfide is a gas at room temperature (Harbison, 

 1998), making ingestion unlikely. 

 0.4.3 INHALATION EXPOSURE 

 A) IMMEDIATELY MOVE PATIENT TO FRESH AIR AND ADMINISTER 100 

 PERCENT OXYGEN. 

 1) PREVENT SELF-EXPOSURE and possible death by wearing a 

 self-contained breathing apparatus to rescue the 

 victim. 

 B) SEIZURES: Administer a benzodiazepine IV; DIAZEPAM 

 (ADULT: 5 to 10 mg, repeat every 10 to 15 min as needed. 

 CHILD: 0.2 to 0.5 mg/kg, repeat every 5 min as needed) 

 or LORAZEPAM (ADULT: 2 to 4 mg; CHILD: 0.05 to 0.1 

 mg/kg). 

 1) Consider phenobarbital if seizures recur after diazepam 

 30 mg (adults) or 10 mg (children > 5 years). 

 2) Monitor for hypotension, dysrhythmias, respiratory 

 depression, and need for endotracheal intubation. 

 Evaluate for hypoglycemia, electrolyte disturbances, 

 hypoxia. 

 C) HYPOTENSION: Infuse 10 to 20 mL/kg isotonic fluid. If 

 hypotension persists, administer dopamine (5 to 20 

 mcg/kg/min) or norepinephrine (ADULT: begin infusion at 

 0.5 to 1 mcg/min; CHILD: begin infusion at 0.1 

 mcg/kg/min); titrate to desired response. 

 D) NITRITE THERAPY - Amyl nitrite by inhalation and IV 

 sodium nitrite (found in cyanide antidote kit) may be 

 beneficial by forming sulfmethemoglobin, thus removing 

 sulfide from combination in tissue. Do NOT use sodium 

 thiosulfate. The antidotal efficacy of nitrite therapy 

 is controversial; it should be considered in patients 

 with severe symptoms who present soon after exposure. 

 E) ACUTE LUNG INJURY: Maintain ventilation and oxygenation 

 and evaluate with frequent arterial blood gas or pulse 

 oximetry monitoring. Early use of PEEP and mechanical 

 ventilation may be needed. 

 0.4.5 DERMAL EXPOSURE 

 A) OVERVIEW 

 1) DECONTAMINATION: Remove contaminated clothing and wash 

 exposed area thoroughly with soap and water. A 

 physician may need to examine the area if irritation or 

 pain persists. 

RANGE OF TOXICITY: 

 A) At an airborne concentration of 0.05 ppm, hydrogen 

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 sulfide produces a characteristic odor of rotten eggs. At 

 50 to 150 ppm the sense of smell is paralyzed brief 

 exposure and gradually worsening symptoms are noted. 

 B) Exposure to greater than 500 ppm results in severe 

 toxicity and death. Respiratory paralysis and death may 

 be noted within 30 to 60 minutes. At 800 to 1000 ppm, 

 death may be nearly immediate after 1 or more breaths. 

ANTIDOTE AND EMERGENCY TREATMENT: 

 NITRITE AS AN ANTIDOTE FOR ACUTE HYDROGEN SULFIDE INTOXICATION CAN ONLY BE 

 EFFECTIVE WITHIN THE FIRST FEW MINUTES AFTER THE EXPOSURE, AT WHICH TIME 

 RESUSCITATION AND/OR VENTILATION OF THE VICTIM ARE LIKELY TO PRODUCE 

 CONDITIONS IN WHICH THE NITRITE ACTUALLY SLOWS SULFIDE REMOVAL /SRP: DUE 

 TO DECR BINDING OF THE SULFIDE TO METHEMOGLOBIN/. [BECK JF ET AL; AM J IND 

 HYG ASSOC J 42 (11): 805-9 (1981)]**PEER REVIEWED** 

 Immediately remove person from exposure and ensure that the airway is 

 clear. Given 100% oxygen by tight-fitting oronasal mask or endotracheal 

 tube. Hyperbaric oxygen at 3 atm has been successful. [Zenz, C., O.B. 

 Dickerson, E.P. Horvath. Occupational Medicine. 3rd ed. St. Louis, MO., 

 1994, p. 667]**PEER REVIEWED** 

 A CASE REPORT OF A 34-YEAR-OLD MALE RENDERED UNCONSCIOUS BY EXPOSURE TO A 

 HIGH CONCENTRATION OF HYDROGEN SULFIDE FUMES IS PRESENTED TO ILLUSTRATE 

 THE ADVANTAGES OF OXYGEN THERAPY. SIGNIFICANT IMPROVEMENT IN BLOOD GASES 

 WAS ACHIEVED WITHIN 1 HOUR OF STARTING OXYGEN. THE RISKS OF NITRITE 

 THERAPY ARE DISCUSSED. [RAVIZZA G ET AL; VET HUM TOXICOL 24 (AUG): 241-2 

 (1982)]**PEER REVIEWED** 

 For basic treatment: Establish a patent airway. Suction if necessary. 

 Watch for signs of respiratory insufficiency and assist ventilations if 

 necessary. Administer oxygen by nonrebreather mask at 10 to 15 L/min. 

 Monitor for pulmonary edema and treat if necessary ... . Monitor for shock 

 and treat if necessary ... . Anticipate seizures and treat if necessary 

 ... . For eye contamination, flush eyes immediately with water. Irrigate 

 each eye continuously with normal saline during transport ... . Treat with 

 rapid rewarming techniques ... if frostbite occurs. /Hydrogen sulfide and 

 related compounds/ [Bronstein, A.C., P.L. Currance; Emergency Care for 

 Hazardous Materials Exposure. 2nd ed. St. Louis, MO. Mosby Lifeline. 

 1994., p. 391-2]**PEER REVIEWED** 

 For advanced treatment: Consider orotracheal or nasotracheal intubation 

 for airway control in the patient who is unconscious or in respiratory 

 arrest. Positive-pressure ventilation techniques with a bag-valve-mask 

 device may be beneficial. Monitor cardiac rhythm and treat arrhythmias if 

 necessary ... . Start an IV with D5W TKO /SRP: To keep open, "minimal flow 

 rate"/. Use lactated Ringer's if signs of hypovolemia are present. Watch 

 for signs of fluid overload. Consider drug therapy for pulmonary edema ... 

 . For hypotension with signs of hypovolemia, administer fluid cautiously. 

 Watch for signs of pulmonary edema. Consider vasopressors to treat 

 hypotension without signs of hypovolemia ... . Treat seizures with 

 diazepam (Valium) ... . In severe cases use amyl nitrite and sodium 

 nitrite ... as described for cyanide poisoning; omit the sodium 

 thiosulfate injection. Early administration will be the most effective. 

 DIRECT PHYSICIAN ORDER ONLY ... . Use proparacaine hydrochloride to assist 

 eye irrigation ... . /Hydrogen sulfide and related compounds/ [Bronstein, 

 A.C., P.L. Currance; Emergency Care for Hazardous Materials Exposure. 2nd 

 ed. St. Louis, MO. Mosby Lifeline. 1994., p. 392]**PEER REVIEWED** 

 In two separate incidents, 6 patients were poisoned with hydrogen sulfide 

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 (H2S) in sewer gas. In the first incident, mixing acid and sodium 

 hydroxide based drain cleaners in a confined space resulted in 4 

 poisonings and 2 deaths. Three ... rescuers were seriously poisoned and 1 

 died. Two survivors had neurological sequelae. Sodium nitrite appeared to 

 have some clinical efficacy in 1 case. The second incident involved 2 

 patients working on a pump in a sewage pond. A patient lying on a raft 

 close to the pond was seriously poisoned; sodium nitrite was clinically 

 efficacious and this patient survived without developing neurological 

 sequelae. Sodium nitrate /needs/ further clinical study as a potential H2S 

 antidote. [Halll AH, Rumack BH; Vet Hum Toxicol 39 (3): 152-4 

 (1997)]**PEER REVIEWED** 

 A worker in a chemical synthetic factory had a presumed acute hydrogen 

 sulfide intoxication and suffered from repetitive generalized tonic 

 convulsions, cyanosis, shock and respiratory arrest. Dramatic response was 

 obtained with amyl nitrate inhalation followed by intravenous 

 administration of sodium nitrate and sodium thiosulfate. The rapid 

 recovery without medical and neurological sequelae supports the efficacy 

 of nitrite treatment in acute hydrogen sulfide intoxication. [Huang CC, 

 Chu NS; J Formosan Med Assoc 86 (9): 1018-20 (1987)]**PEER REVIEWED** 

ANIMAL TOXICITY STUDIES: 

EVIDENCE FOR CARCINOGENICITY: 

 There are no published reports of carcinogenesis, mutagenesis, or 

 teratogenesis attributable to hydrogen sulfide exposure. [Sullivan, J.B. 

 Jr., G.R. Krieger (eds.). Hazardous Materials Toxicology-Clinical 

 Principles of Environmental Health. Baltimore, MD: Williams and Wilkins, 

 1992., p. 714]**PEER REVIEWED** 

NON-HUMAN TOXICITY EXCERPTS: 

 IF EXPOSURE IS NOT TOO GREAT, COUGHING, LACRIMATION, MUCOUS NASAL 

 DISCHARGE, DYSPNEA, DEPRESSION, FLUID SOUNDS IN LUNGS, & TERMINAL 

 CYANOSIS & POSSIBLE CONVULSIONS MAY OCCUR. LARGE CONCN OF HYDROGEN 

 SULFIDE MAY CAUSE SUDDEN COLLAPSE, CYANOSIS, DYSPNEA, ANOXIC CONVULSIONS, 

 & RAPID DEATH. THERE MAY BE PULMONARY EDEMA & EDEMA OF INTESTINES 

 & BRAIN. BLOOD IS DARK & FAILS TO CLOT. HEMORRHAGES MAY OCCUR IN 

 VARIOUS ORGANS. LIVER & KIDNEY MAY MANIFEST DEGENERATIVE CHANGES. 

 [Booth, N.H., L.E. McDonald (eds.). Veterinary Pharmacology and 

 Therapeutics. 5th ed. Ames, Iowa: Iowa State University Press, 1982., p. 

 9602]**PEER REVIEWED** 

 IN ANIMAL EXPT TEMPORARY DAMAGING EFFECT ... ON CORNEAL EPITHELIUM HAS ... 

 BEEN DEMONSTRATED ON ... DOGS, CATS, RABBITS, & GUINEA PIGS ... 

 USUALLY BY EXPOSURE TO 50 TO 100 PPM FOR SEVERAL HR OR DAYS. [Grant, W.M. 

 Toxicology of the Eye. 3rd ed. Springfield, IL: Charles C. Thomas 

 Publisher, 1986., p. 496]**PEER REVIEWED** 

 THERE HAVE BEEN NUMEROUS RECORDS OF PIGS HAVING BEEN FATALLY POISONED BY 

 HYDROGEN SULFIDE RELEASED /GAS/ FROM SLURRY TANKS IN PIGGERIES WHEN SLURRY 

 HAS BEEN AGITATED PRIOR TO PUMPING. UNDER THESE CONDITIONS GAS CAN RAPIDLY 

 BUILD UP TO A TOXIC LEVEL (80-800 PPM). CATTLE HAVE ALSO BEEN POISONED IN 

 THIS WAY; CALVES SHOWED ATAXIA & ENTERITIS. ... ALTHOUGH SUDDEN 

 EXPOSURE TO CONCN OF 0.04% MIGHT BE FATAL TO PIGS, THERE WERE NO PERMANENT 

 ILL EFFECTS IN ANIMALS SURVIVING EXPOSURE TO 0.1% /OBSERVED/. [Humphreys, 

 D.J. Veterinary Toxicology. 3rd ed. London, England: Bailliere Tindell, 

 1988., p. 83]**PEER REVIEWED** 

Page 10 of 39

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 CASES POULTRY POISONING HAVE ... BEEN RECORDED. /AN/ EPISODE OCCURRED IN A 

 BATTERY LAYING HOUSE; BIRDS AFFECTED WERE NEAREST /TO/ THE GROUND & TO 

 A LEAKING MANHOLE COVER. [Humphreys, D.J. Veterinary Toxicology. 3rd ed. 

 London, England: Bailliere Tindell, 1988., p. 83]**PEER REVIEWED** 

 EXPOSURE OF CHANNEL CATFISH TO 0.5 MG/L HYDROGEN SULFIDE AT 20 DEG C 

 RESULTED IN HYPERPNEA, FOLLOWED BY APNEA AND RESPIRATORY ARREST. [TORRANS 

 EL, CLEMENS HP; COMP BIOCHEM PHYSIOL C COMP PHARMACOL 71 (2): 183-190 

 (1982)]**PEER REVIEWED** 

 /Ten species of weeds 3 to 6 weeks of age were/ fumigated with 100 to 500 

 ppm hydrogen sulfide for four hours. /Results suggested that/ differences 

 in susceptibility to injury /existed/ and ... that younger plants were 

 more sensitive to damage than older ones. /Data also suggested/ that 

 increases in temperature exacerbated the damage, as did dry soil. 

 [Benedict HM et al; National Air Pollution Symposium p. 177-90 (1955) as 

 cited in USEPA; Health Assessment Document for Hydrogen Sulfide (Draft) p. 

 5-2 (1986)]**PEER REVIEWED** 

 In high concentrations (1000 to 3000 ppm) hydrogen sulfide was lethal to 

 dogs. At 3000 ppm, respiration ceased after a few breaths; death occurred 

 within 15 to 20 minutes at 1000 ppm. [American Conference of Governmental 

 Industrial Hygienists, Inc. Documentation of the Threshold Limit Values 

 and Biological Exposure Indices. 6th ed. Volumes I, II, III. Cincinnati, 

 OH: ACGIH, 1991., p. 786]**PEER REVIEWED** 

 ...exposed monkeys at 500 ppm for durations of 22 to 35 min. Each of three 

 monkeys lost consciousness abruptly in about 15 min.; microscopic 

 examination revealed that the brain, particularly the motor cells of the 

 cerebellum, was the principal target organ ... [American Conference of 

 Governmental Industrial Hygienists, Inc. Documentation of the Threshold 

 Limit Values and Biological Exposure Indices. 6th ed. Volumes I, II, III. 

 Cincinnati, OH: ACGIH, 1991., p. 786]**PEER REVIEWED** 

 POISONING WITH HYDROGEN SULFIDE ... HAS BEEN DESCRIBED FROM DRINKING 

 CONTAMINATED WATER. [Clarke, M. L., D. G. Harvey and D. J. Humphreys. 

 Veterinary Toxicology. 2nd ed. London: Bailliere Tindall, 1981., p. 

 82]**PEER REVIEWED** 

 ... The central nervous system (CNS) appears to be the major target organ 

 /for hydrogen sulfide toxicity/. There is great potential for insult or 

 injury to the developing or immature CNS. The risk of chronic or repeated 

 exposures to low concn have not been well defined. Exposure to low concn 

 of H2S to time pregnant rats from day 5 post coitus until day 21 postnatal 

 results in architectural modification of cerebellar Purkinje cells, 

 alteration of putative amino acid neurotransmitters and changes in 

 monoamine levels in the developing rat brain up day 21 postnatal. H2S 

 induced alterations in monoamine tissue levels observed in the developing 

 rat brain return to control values if exposure is discontinued during 

 development, that is, at day 21 postnatal. [Roth SH, et al; Clin Exp 

 Pharmacol Physiol 22 (5): 379-80 (1995)]**PEER REVIEWED** 

 Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) may produce deleterious effects on the developing 

 central nervous system. The dendritic fields of developing Purkinje cells 

 were analyzed to determine the effects of chronic exposure to low concn of 

 H2S during perinatal development. Treatment with the two concn (20 and 50 

 ppm) of H2S produced severe alterations in the architecture and growth 

 characteristics of the Purkinje cell dendritic fields. The ... 

 modifications included longer branches, an incr in the vertex path length 

 and variations in the number of branches in particular areas of the 

Page 11 of 39

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 dendritic field.The treated cells ... exhibited a non-symmetrical growth 

 pattern at a time when random terminal branching is normally occurring. 

 ... [Hannah RS, Roth SH; Neurosci Lett 122 (2): 225-8 (1991)]**PEER 

 REVIEWED** 

 IN ADDN TO INCR VENTILATION, SMALL PARENTERAL DOSES OF SULFIDE IN LAB 

 ANIMALS PRODUCE FLEETING RISE FOLLOWED BY PROFOUND (PERHAPS IRREVERSIBLE) 

 FALL IN BLOOD PRESSURE. DEATH ... IS INVARIABLY RESULT OF CENTRAL RESP 

 PARALYSIS. /HYDROGEN SULFIDE/ [Gosselin, R.E., H.C. Hodge, R.P. Smith, and 

 M.N. Gleason. Clinical Toxicology of Commercial Products. 4th ed. 

 Baltimore: Williams and Wilkins, 1976., p. III-170]**PEER REVIEWED** 

NON-HUMAN TOXICITY VALUES: 

 LC50 Rhesus monkey inhalation 700 mg/cu m/35 min. [Lund OE, Wieland H; Int 

 Arch Gewerbepathol Gewerbehyg 22: 46-54 (1966)]**PEER REVIEWED** 

 LC50 Mouse inhalation 1500 mg/cu m/18 min [Verschueren, K. Handbook of 

 Environmental Data of Organic Chemicals. 2nd ed. New York, NY: Van 

 Nostrand Reinhold Co., 1983., p. 745]**PEER REVIEWED** 

 LC50 Mouse inhalation 380 mg/cu m/410 min [Verschueren, K. Handbook of 

 Environmental Data of Organic Chemicals. 2nd ed. New York, NY: Van 

 Nostrand Reinhold Co., 1983., p. 745]**PEER REVIEWED** 

 LC50 Mouse inhalation 96 mg/cu m/804 min [Verschueren, K. Handbook of 

 Environmental Data of Organic Chemicals. 2nd ed. New York, NY: Van 

 Nostrand Reinhold Co., 1983., p. 745]**PEER REVIEWED** 

 LC50 Mouse inhalation 24 mg/cu m/ > 960 min [Verschueren, K. Handbook 

 of Environmental Data of Organic Chemicals. 2nd ed. New York, NY: Van 

 Nostrand Reinhold Co., 1983., p. 745]**PEER REVIEWED** 

 LC50 Rat inhalation 1500 mg/cu m/14 min [Verschueren, K. Handbook of 

 Environmental Data of Organic Chemicals. 2nd ed. New York, NY: Van 

 Nostrand Reinhold Co., 1983., p. 745]**PEER REVIEWED** 

 LC50 Rat inhalation 380 mg/ cu m > 960 min [Verschueren, K. Handbook of 

 Environmental Data of Organic Chemicals. 2nd ed. New York, NY: Van 

 Nostrand Reinhold Co., 1983., p. 745]**PEER REVIEWED** 

ECOTOXICITY VALUES: 

 TLm Asellus sp 0.111 mg/l/96 hr /Conditions of bioassay not specified/ 

 [Verschueren, K. Handbook of Environmental Data of Organic Chemicals. 2nd 

 ed. New York, NY: Van Nostrand Reinhold Co., 1983., p. 744]**PEER 

 REVIEWED** 

 TLm Crangonyx sp 1.07 mg/l/96 hr /Conditions of bioassay not specified/ 

 [Verschueren, K. Handbook of Environmental Data of Organic Chemicals. 2nd 

 ed. New York, NY: Van Nostrand Reinhold Co., 1983., p. 744]**PEER 

 REVIEWED** 

 TLm Gammarus sp 0.84 mg/l/96 hr /Conditions of bioassay not specified/ 

 [Verschueren, K. Handbook of Environmental Data of Organic Chemicals. 2nd 

 ed. New York, NY: Van Nostrand Reinhold Co., 1983., p. 744]**PEER 

 REVIEWED** 

 LC50 Fly inhalation 380 mg/cu m/ > 960 min [Verschueren, K. Handbook of 

 Environmental Data of Organic Chemicals. 2nd ed. New York, NY: Van 

 Nostrand Reinhold Co., 1983., p. 745]**PEER REVIEWED** 

Page 12 of 39

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 LC50 Fly inhalation 1500 mg/cum/7 min [Verschueren, K. Handbook of 

 Environmental Data of Organic Chemicals. 2nd ed. New York, NY: Van 

 Nostrand Reinhold Co., 1983., p. 745]**PEER REVIEWED** 

 TLm Lepomis macrochirus (bluegill sunfish) eggs 0.0190 mg/l/72 hr at 21-22 

 deg C in a flow through bioassay [Verschueren, K. Handbook of 

 Environmental Data of Organic Chemicals. 2nd ed. New York, NY: Van 

 Nostrand Reinhold Co., 1983., p. 745]**PEER REVIEWED** 

 TLm Lepomis macrochirus (bluegill sunfish) 35 day old fry 0.0131 mg/l/96 

 hr at 21-22 deg C in a flow through bioassay [Verschueren, K. Handbook of 

 Environmental Data of Organic Chemicals. 2nd ed. New York, NY: Van 

 Nostrand Reinhold Co., 1983., p. 745]**PEER REVIEWED** 

 TLm Lepomis macrochirus (bluegill sunfish) juveniles 0.0478 mg/l/96 hr at 

 21-22 deg C in a flow through bioassay [Verschueren, K. Handbook of 

 Environmental Data of Organic Chemicals. 2nd ed. New York, NY: Van 

 Nostrand Reinhold Co., 1983., p. 745]**PEER REVIEWED** 

 TLm Lepomis macrochirus (bluegill sunfish) adults 0.0448 mg/l/96 hr at 

 21-22 deg C in a flow through bioassay [Verschueren, K. Handbook of 

 Environmental Data of Organic Chemicals. 2nd ed. New York, NY: Van 

 Nostrand Reinhold Co., 1983., p. 745]**PEER REVIEWED** 

 TLm Pimephales promelas (fathead minnow) 0.0071-0.55 mg/l/96 hr at 6-24 

 deg C in a flow through bioassay [Verschueren, K. Handbook of 

 Environmental Data of Organic Chemicals. 2nd ed. New York, NY: Van 

 Nostrand Reinhold Co., 1983., p. 745]**PEER REVIEWED** 

 TLm Salvelinus fontinalis (brook trout) 0.0216-0.038 mg/l/96 hr at 8-12.5 

 deg C in a flow through bioassay [Verschueren, K. Handbook of 

 Environmental Data of Organic Chemicals. 2nd ed. New York, NY: Van 

 Nostrand Reinhold Co., 1983., p. 745]**PEER REVIEWED** 

METABOLISM/PHARMACOKINETICS: 

METABOLISM/METABOLITES: 

 With the body, H2S is metabolized by oxidation, methylation, and reaction 

 with metallo- or disulfide-containing proteins. [Sullivan, J.B. Jr., G.R. 

 Krieger (eds.). Hazardous Materials Toxicology-Clinical Principles of 

 Environmental Health. Baltimore, MD: Williams and Wilkins, 1992., p. 

 712]**PEER REVIEWED** 

 ... In the bloodstream the gas is converted to alkali sulfide. The 

 hydrosulfide radical is excreted by the lungs and in urine. Part of the 

 sulfide is oxidized to sulfate and thiosulfate ... . [Booth, N.H., L.E. 

 McDonald (eds.). Veterinary Pharmacology and Therapeutics. 5th ed. Ames, 

 Iowa: Iowa State University Press, 1982., p. 959]**PEER REVIEWED** 

ABSORPTION, DISTRIBUTION & EXCRETION: 

 ...the lung rather than the skin is the primary route of absorption. The 

 dermal absorption of hydrogen sulfide is minimal. Results from animal 

 inhalation studies indicate that H2S is distributed in the body to the 

 brain, liver, kidneys, pancreas, and small intestine. [Sullivan, J.B. Jr., 

 G.R. Krieger (eds.). Hazardous Materials Toxicology-Clinical Principles of 

 Environmental Health. Baltimore, MD: Williams and Wilkins, 1992., p. 

 712]**PEER REVIEWED** 

Page 13 of 39

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 ... Hydrogen sulfide is readily absorbed through the skin, lung and 

 digestive tract lining. ... Some of the sulfide may be trapped by natural 

 disulfides in the bloodstream. Some sulfide is also excreted as iron 

 sulfide in feces. [Booth, N.H., L.E. McDonald (eds.). Veterinary 

 Pharmacology and Therapeutics. 5th ed. Ames, Iowa: Iowa State University 

 Press, 1982., p. 959]**PEER REVIEWED** 

 FIRST ACID DISSOCIATION CONSTANT OF HYDROGEN SULFIDE IS ABOUT 1X10-7 MOLAR 

 SO THAT IN BODY FLUIDS DISSOCIATED & UNDISSOCIATED HYDROGEN SULFIDE 

 EXIST IN ABOUT EQUAL PROPORTIONS. UNDISSOCIATED ACID, HOWEVER, PENETRATES 

 BIOLOGICAL MEMBRANES MORE RAPIDLY THAN THE HYDROSULFIDE ANION. /HYDROGEN 

 SULFIDE/ [Gosselin, R.E., R.P. Smith, H.C. Hodge. Clinical Toxicology of 

 Commercial Products. 5th ed. Baltimore: Williams and Wilkins, 1984., p. 

 III-200]**PEER REVIEWED** 

MECHANISM OF ACTION: 

 HYDROSULFIDE ANION (HS-) ... FORMS COMPLEX WITH METHEMOGLOBIN KNOWN AS 

 SULFMETHEMOGLOBIN, WHICH IS ANALOGOUS TO CYANMETHEMOGLOBIN. ... 

 DISSOCIATION CONSTANT FOR SULFMETHEMOGLOBIN HAS BEEN EST AS 6X10-6 MOLES/L 

 WHERE AS THE DISSOCIATION CONSTANT FOR CYANMETHEMOGLOBIN IS ABOUT 2X10-8 

 MOLES/L. DESPITE LOWER BINDING AFFINITY FOR SULFIDE, INDUCED 

 METHEMOGLOBINEMIA PROVIDES UNEQUIVOCAL PROTECTION AGAINST DEATH FROM ACUTE 

 SULFIDE POISONING IN ANIMALS. [Klaassen, C.D., M.O. Amdur, Doull J. 

 (eds.). Casarett and Doull's Toxicology. The Basic Science of Poisons. 5th 

 ed. New York, NY: McGraw-Hill, 1995., p. 351]**PEER REVIEWED** 

 THE ABSORPTION OF HYDROGEN SULFIDE (H2S) GAS BY SCIATIC NERVE BUNDLES FROM 

 RANA PIPIENS PRODUCES AN ANESTHETIC EFFECT OF SHORT DURATION. UNLIKE 

 HYDROGEN CYANIDE THERE IS NO INDICATION THAT HYDROGEN SULFIDE INHIBITS THE 

 ENERGY METABOLISM OF THE NERVE CELLS, EXCEPT POSSIBLY WHEN THE NERVES ARE 

 EXPOSED TO EXTREMELY HIGH SULFIDE CONCENTRATIONS. A MODE OF ACTION FOR 

 HYDROGEN SULFIDE IS PROPOSED. [BECK JF ET AL; TOXICOLOGY 26 (1): 37-45 

 (1983)]**PEER REVIEWED** 

 ...interferes with the function of oxidative enzymes, mainly cytochrome 

 oxidase, and results in tissue hypoxia. [Rom, W.N. (ed.). Environmental 

 and Occupational Medicine. 2nd ed. Boston, MA: Little, Brown and Company, 

 1992., p. 546]**PEER REVIEWED** 

 Hydrogen sulfide is a ... potent inhibitor of the cytochrome oxidase 

 system ... . [Ellenhorn, M.J., S. Schonwald, G. Ordog, J. Wasserberger. 

 Ellenhorn's Medical Toxicology: Diagnosis and Treatment of Human 

 Poisoning. 2nd ed. Baltimore, MD: Williams and Wilkins, 1997., p. 

 1491]**PEER REVIEWED** 

 SUDDEN DEATH FROM INHALATION OF LARGE CONCN OF HYDROGEN SULFIDE DUE TO 

 INHIBITION OF CELLULAR RESP IN VITAL TISSUES, PARTICULARLY BRAIN. ... 

 APPARENTLY ... INHIBIT/S/ CYTOCHROME OXIDASE, THUS INHIBITING 

 ELECTRON-TRANSPORT SYSTEM. [Booth, N.H., L.E. McDonald (eds.). Veterinary 

 Pharmacology and Therapeutics. 5th ed. Ames, Iowa: Iowa State University 

 Press, 1982., p. 9602]**PEER REVIEWED** 

INTERACTIONS: 

 Pregnant rats were exposed to 0, 100, 200, 400 or 800 ppm of carbon 

 disulfide (CS2), 100 ppm hydrogen sulfide (H2S) alone or in combination 

 with 400 or 800 ppm CS2, 6 hr/day during days 6-20 gestation. Maternal 

 reproduction and fetal parameters were evaluated on gestational day 21. 

 Treatment with 100 or 200 ppm CS2 or with 100 ppm H2S caused no maternal 

 toxicity or adverse effects on the developing embryo or fetus. Exposure to 

 400 or 800 ppm CS2 resulted in a low incidence of club foot and in a 

Page 14 of 39

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 significant reduction of maternal weight gain. Significant incr in 

 unossified sternebrae occurred at 800 ppm CS2 and reduction of fetal body 

 weight at 400 and 800 ppm CS2. The latter effect was enhanced by 

 combination with 100 ppm H2S. ... At levels of exposure associated with 

 maternal toxicity, CS2 leads to an incr in incidence of club foot and to 

 fetal toxicity which is enhanced by simultaneous exposure to H2S. 

 [Saillenfait AM, et al; Toxicol Lett 48 (1): 57-66 (1989)]**PEER 

 REVIEWED** 

 Hydrogen sulfide ... is produced endogenously in mammalian tissues from 

 L-cysteine mainly by two pyridoxal-5'-phosphate dependent enzymes, 

 cystathionine beta-synthetase and cystathionine gamma-lyase. ... 

 Cystathionine beta-synthetase in the brain produces H2S, and that H2S 

 facilitates the induction of hippocampal long term potentiation by 

 enhancing NMDA receptor activity. ... mRNA for another H2S producing 

 enzyme, cystathionine gamma-lyase is expressed in the ileum, portal vein 

 and thoracic aorta. The ileum also expresses cystathionine beta-synthetase 

 mRNA. These tissues produce H2S, and this production is blocked by 

 cystathionine beta-synthetase and cystathionine gamma-lyase specific 

 inhibitors. Although exogenously applied H2S alone relaxed these smooth 

 muscles, much lower concn of H2S greatly enhanced the smooth muscle 

 relaxation induced by NO in the thoracic aorta. These observations suggest 

 that the endogenous H2S may regulate smooth muscle tone in synergy with 

 NO. [Hosoki R, et al; Biochem Biophys Res Commun 237 (3): 527-31 

 (1997)]**PEER REVIEWED** 

PHARMACOLOGY: 

INTERACTIONS: 

 Pregnant rats were exposed to 0, 100, 200, 400 or 800 ppm of carbon 

 disulfide (CS2), 100 ppm hydrogen sulfide (H2S) alone or in combination 

 with 400 or 800 ppm CS2, 6 hr/day during days 6-20 gestation. Maternal 

 reproduction and fetal parameters were evaluated on gestational day 21. 

 Treatment with 100 or 200 ppm CS2 or with 100 ppm H2S caused no maternal 

 toxicity or adverse effects on the developing embryo or fetus. Exposure to 

 400 or 800 ppm CS2 resulted in a low incidence of club foot and in a 

 significant reduction of maternal weight gain. Significant incr in 

 unossified sternebrae occurred at 800 ppm CS2 and reduction of fetal body 

 weight at 400 and 800 ppm CS2. The latter effect was enhanced by 

 combination with 100 ppm H2S. ... At levels of exposure associated with 

 maternal toxicity, CS2 leads to an incr in incidence of club foot and to 

 fetal toxicity which is enhanced by simultaneous exposure to H2S. 

 [Saillenfait AM, et al; Toxicol Lett 48 (1): 57-66 (1989)]**PEER 

 REVIEWED** 

 Hydrogen sulfide ... is produced endogenously in mammalian tissues from 

 L-cysteine mainly by two pyridoxal-5'-phosphate dependent enzymes, 

 cystathionine beta-synthetase and cystathionine gamma-lyase. ... 

 Cystathionine beta-synthetase in the brain produces H2S, and that H2S 

 facilitates the induction of hippocampal long term potentiation by 

 enhancing NMDA receptor activity. ... mRNA for another H2S producing 

 enzyme, cystathionine gamma-lyase is expressed in the ileum, portal vein 

 and thoracic aorta. The ileum also expresses cystathionine beta-synthetase 

 mRNA. These tissues produce H2S, and this production is blocked by 

 cystathionine beta-synthetase and cystathionine gamma-lyase specific 

 inhibitors. Although exogenously applied H2S alone relaxed these smooth 

 muscles, much lower concn of H2S greatly enhanced the smooth muscle 

 relaxation induced by NO in the thoracic aorta. These observations suggest 

Page 15 of 39

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 that the endogenous H2S may regulate smooth muscle tone in synergy with 

 NO. [Hosoki R, et al; Biochem Biophys Res Commun 237 (3): 527-31 

 (1997)]**PEER REVIEWED** 

ENVIRONMENTAL FATE & EXPOSURE: 

PROBABLE ROUTES OF HUMAN EXPOSURE: 

 Inhalation of gas, ingestion, eye, and skin contact. [Sittig, M. Handbook 

 of Toxic and Hazardous Chemicals and Carcinogens, 1985. 2nd ed. Park 

 Ridge, NJ: Noyes Data Corporation, 1985., p. 513]**PEER REVIEWED** 

 MAJORITY OF OCCUPATIONAL EXPOSURES TO HYDROGEN SULFIDE RESULTED FROM ITS 

 OCCURRENCE IN PETROLEUM, NATURAL GAS, SOIL, SEWER GAS & AS BYPRODUCT 

 OF CHEM REACTIONS, SUCH AS MAY TAKE PLACE IN VISCOSE RAYON & CERTAIN 

 LEATHER TANNING PROCESSES. [American Conference of Governmental Industrial 

 Hygienists, Inc. Documentation of the Threshold Limit Values and 

 Biological Exposure Indices. 6th ed. Volumes I, II, III. Cincinnati, OH: 

 ACGIH, 1991., p. 786]**PEER REVIEWED** 

 ... /GAS/ RELEASED FROM SLURRY TANKS IN PIGGERIES WHEN THE SLURRY HAS 

 AGITATED PRIOR TO PUMPING. UNDER THESE CONDITIONS GAS CAN BUILD UP TO 

 TOXIC LEVEL (80-800 PPM); ON OCCASIONS MEN WORKING ON SITE HAVE BEEN 

 OVERCOME. [Humphreys, D.J. Veterinary Toxicology. 3rd ed. London, England: 

 Bailliere Tindell, 1988., p. 83]**PEER REVIEWED** 

 LIQUID MANURE STORAGE IS A COMMON COMPONENT OF CONFINEMENT SYSTEMS FOR 

 SWINE, BEEF, DAIRY, AND VEAL OPERATIONS. MORE THAN 85,000 PEOPLE IN IOWA 

 AND 500,000 IN THE REST OF THE THE US WORK IN LIVESTOCK CONFINEMENT 

 SYSTEMS THAT USE LIQUID MANURE STORAGE. ... TOXIC GASES EMANATING FROM THE 

 LIQUID MANURE /MAY INCLUDE HYDROGEN SULFIDE/ [DONHAM KJ ET AL; J OCCUP MED 

 24 (2): 142-5 (1982)]**PEER REVIEWED** 

 GAS EXPOSURE RISK FROM COAL GASIFICATION PRODUCTS AT THE UCG PROJECT, 

 RAWLINS, WYOMING IS DISCUSSED. [MOORE J ET AL; PROC INT GAS RES CONF, 2ND: 

 1645-50 (1982)]**PEER REVIEWED** 

NATURAL POLLUTION SOURCES: 

 IN SULFUR SPRINGS, volcanic gas, natural gas, and a component of crude 

 petroleum. [Budavari, S. (ed.). The Merck Index - An Encyclopedia of 

 Chemicals, Drugs, and Biologicals. Whitehouse Station, NJ: Merck and Co., 

 Inc., 1996., p. 823]**PEER REVIEWED** 

 HIGH LEVELS OF HYDROGEN SULFIDE IN A FLORIDA WELL WATER SOURCE WERE 

 APPARENTLY RESPONSIBLE FOR ATTACKING /CORRODING/ A/C PIPE. [National 

 Research Council. Drinking Water & Health, Volume 4. Washington, DC: 

 National Academy Press, 1981., p. 53]**PEER REVIEWED** 

 ... GAS /PRODUCED/ FROM DECOMP MANURE ... /&/ LEAKING /SEWER/ MANHOLE 

 COVER. [Humphreys, D.J. Veterinary Toxicology. 3rd ed. London, England: 

 Bailliere Tindell, 1988., p. 83]**PEER REVIEWED** 

 ... /FROM/ VOLCANIC GASES IN HIGH CONCN. [Klaassen, C.D., M.O. Amdur, 

 Doull J. (eds.). Casarett and Doull's Toxicology. The Basic Science of 

 Poisons. 5th ed. New York, NY: McGraw-Hill, 1995., p. 352]**PEER 

 REVIEWED** 

ARTIFICIAL POLLUTION SOURCES: 

 ... POLLUTANT IN ATMOSPHERE IN /VICINITY/ OF INDUSTRIAL PAPER PLANTS USING 

Page 16 of 39

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 KRAFT PROCESS. [Klaassen, C.D., M.O. Amdur, Doull J. (eds.). Casarett and 

 Doull's Toxicology. The Basic Science of Poisons. 5th ed. New York, NY: 

 McGraw-Hill, 1995., p. 353]**PEER REVIEWED** 

 In cigarette smoke: 40 ppm; combustion of coal: 0.0045 lb/lb coal; 

 combustion of fuel oil: 1 lb/1,000 lb gas; combustion of natural gas: 0.13 

 lb/1,000 lb gas; In municipal sewer air: 0.2-10 ppm. [Verschueren, K. 

 Handbook of Environmental Data of Organic Chemicals. 2nd ed. New York, NY: 

 Van Nostrand Reinhold Co., 1983., p. 744]**PEER REVIEWED** 

 THERMAL DEGRADATION OF POLYPHENYLENE SULFIDE MAY YIELD HYDROGEN SULFIDE 

 ... . [Clayton, G. D. and F. E. Clayton (eds.). Patty's Industrial Hygiene 

 and Toxicology: Volume 2A, 2B, 2C: Toxicology. 3rd ed. New York: John 

 Wiley Sons, 1981-1982., p. 4447]**PEER REVIEWED** 

 Hydrogen sulfide is a by product of many industrial operations, eg, coking 

 and the hydrodesulfurization of crude oil and of coal [Kirk-Othmer 

 Encyclopedia of Chemical Technology. 3rd ed., Volumes 1-26. New York, NY: 

 John Wiley and Sons, 1978-1984., p. V26 1131 (1985)]**PEER REVIEWED** 

 Guidotti TL; Occupat Med 46 (5): 367-71 (1996)... Hydrogen sulfide is 

 produced in pulp mills. ... **PEER REVIEWED** 

ENVIRONMENTAL FATE: 

 Atmospheric Fate: The lifetime of hydrogen sulfide (H2S) is affected by 

 ambient temperature and other atmospheric variables including humidity, 

 sunshine, and presence of other pollutants. The decreased temperatures and 

 decreased levels of hydroxide in northern regions (e.g. Alberta, Canada) 

 in winter increase the residence time of H2S in air. [Bottenheim JW, 

 Strausz OP; Environ Sci Technol (14): 709-718 (1980) as cited in USEPA; 

 Health and Environmental Effects Profile for Hydrogen Sulfide p.4-4 (1986) 

 ECAO-CIN-026A]**PEER REVIEWED** 

 Once released into the atmosphere, hydrogen sulfide will behave like many 

 other gaseous pollutants and be dispersed and eventually removed. 

 Residence times in the atmosphere range from about one day to more than 40 

 days, depending upon season, latitude, and atmospheric conditions. [Nat'l 

 Research Council Canada; Hydrogen Sulfide in the Atmospheric Environment 

 p.52 (1981) NRCC No. 18467]**PEER REVIEWED** 

ENVIRONMENTAL BIODEGRADATION: 

 Microorganisms in soil and water are involved in oxidation-reduction 

 reactions which oxidize hydrogen sulfide to elemental sulfur. Members of 

 the genera Beggiatoa, Thioploca, and Thiotrix function in transition zones 

 between aerobic and anaerobic conditions where both molecular oxygen and 

 hydrogen sulfide are found. /Also/ some photosynthetic bacteria oxidize 

 hydrogen sulfide to elemental sulfur. Members of the families 

 Chlorobiaceae and Chromatiaceae (purple sulfur bacteria) are obligate 

 aerobes and are phototropic, and are found in waters with high H2S 

 concentrations. The interactions of these organisms form part of the 

 global sulfur cycle. [USEPA; Health and Environmental Effects Profile for 

 Hydrogen Sulfide p.4-4 (1986) ECAO-CIN-026A]**PEER REVIEWED** 

ENVIRONMENTAL ABIOTIC DEGRADATION: 

 Hydrogen sulfide does not absorb solar radiation reaching the tropsphere. 

 It does not, therefore, undergo photolysis or react photochemically with 

 oxygen. ... The primary chemical transformation of hydrogen sulfide in the 

 atmosphere is oxidation by oxygen containing radicals to sulfur dioxide 

 and sulfates. [Nat'l Research Council Canada; Hydrogen Sulfide in the 

 Atmospheric Environment p.52, 54 (1981) NRCC No. 18467]**PEER REVIEWED** 

Page 17 of 39

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ENVIRONMENTAL BIOCONCENTRATION: 

 Does not have bioaccumulation or food chain contamination potential. 

 [Environment Canada; Tech Info for Problem Spills: Hydrogen Sulphide 

 (Draft) p.1 (1981)]**PEER REVIEWED** 

SOIL ADSORPTION/MOBILITY: 

 Anhydrous hydrogen sulfide has a boiling point of 60.3 deg C at 1 atm. 

 Consequently, when it is spilled onto soil, much will evaporate. However, 

 since it is very soluble in water, the presence of water in soil or 

 falling as precipitation at the time of the spill may contribute to 

 movement in the soil. If the soil surface is saturated with moisture at 

 the time of the spill as might be the case after a rainfall, the spill 

 chemical will runoff and/or evaporate away. [Environment Canada; Tech Info 

 for Problem Spills: Hydrogen Sulphide (Draft) p.66 (1981)]**PEER 

 REVIEWED** 

VOLATILIZATION FROM WATER/SOIL: 

 Anhydrous hydrogen sulfide has a boiling point of -60.3 deg C at a 

 pressure of 1 atmosphere. Consequently, when it is spilled onto soil, much 

 will evaporate. [Environment Canada; Tech Info for Problem Spills: 

 Hydrogen Sulphide (Draft) p.66 (l981)]**PEER REVIEWED** 

ATMOSPHERIC CONCENTRATIONS: 

 Ambient levels of hydrogen sulfide tend to be low, in the range of 0.001 

 mg/m3. Pollution episodes have reached levels of nearly 0.5 mg/cu m (0.7 

 ppm) in levels as high as 14.3 mg/cu m (20 ppm). At least one release in 

 Poza Rica, Mexico emitted lethal levels of gas. [USEPA; Health Assessment 

 Document for Hydrogen Sulfide p. 1-2 (1986) ECAO-CIN-026A (Draft)]**PEER 

 REVIEWED** 

ENVIRONMENTAL STANDARDS & REGULATIONS: 

CERCLA REPORTABLE QUANTITIES: 

 Persons in charge of vessels or facilities are required to notify the 

 National Response Center (NRC) immediately, when there is a release of 

 this designated hazardous substance, in an amount equal to or greater than 

 its reportable quantity of 100 lb or 45.4 kg. The toll free number of the 

 NRC is (800) 424-8802; In the Washington D.C. metropolitan area (202) 

 426-2675. The rule for determining when notification is required is stated 

 in 40 CFR 302.4 (section IV. D.3.b). [40 CFR 302.4 (7/1/97)]**PEER 

 REVIEWED** 

 Releases of CERCLA hazardous substances are subject to the release 

 reporting requirement of CERCLA section 103, codified at 40 CFR part 302, 

 in addition to the requirements of 40 CFR part 355. Hydrogen sulfide is an 

 extremely hazardous substance (EHS) subject to reporting requirements when 

 stored in amounts in excess of its threshold planning quantity (TPQ) of 

 500 lbs. [40 CFR 355 (7/1/97)]**QC REVIEWED** 

RCRA REQUIREMENTS: 

 U135; As stipulated in 40 CFR 261.33, when hydrogen sulfide, as a 

 commercial chemical product or manufacturing chemical intermediate or an 

 off-specification commercial chemical product or a manufacturing chemical 

 intermediate, becomes a waste, it must be managed according to Federal 

 and/or State hazardous waste regulations. Also defined as a hazardous 

 waste is any residue, contaminated soil, water, or other debris resulting 

 from the cleanup of a spill, into water or on dry land, of this waste. 

Page 18 of 39

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 Generators of small quantities of this waste may qualify for partial 

 exclusion from hazardous waste regulations (40 CFR 261.5). [40 CFR 261.33 

 (7/1/97)]**PEER REVIEWED** 

CLEAN WATER ACT REQUIREMENTS: 

 Designated as a hazardous substance under section 311(b)(2)(A) of the 

 Federal Water Pollution Control Act and further regulated by the Clean 

 Water Act Amendments of 1977 and 1978. These regulations apply to 

 discharges of this substance.[40 CFR 116.4 (7/1/88)]**QC REVIEWED** 

STATE DRINKING WATER GUIDELINES: 

 (ME) MAINE 80 ug/l [USEPA/Office of Water; Federal-State Toxicology and 

 Risk Analysis Committee (FSTRAC). Summary of State and Federal Drinking 

 Water Standards and Guidelines (11/93), p. ]**QC REVIEWED** 

 (WI) WISCONSIN 30 ug/l[USEPA/Office of Water; Federal-State Toxicology and 

 Risk Analysis Committee (FSTRAC). Summary of State and Federal Drinking 

 Water Standards and Guidelines (11/93), p. ]**QC REVIEWED** 

CHEMICAL/PHYSICAL PROPERTIES: 

MOLECULAR FORMULA: 

 H2-S [The Merck Index. 10th ed. Rahway, New Jersey: Merck Co., Inc., 

 1983., p. 697]**PEER REVIEWED** 

MOLECULAR WEIGHT: 

 34.08 [Lide, D.R. (ed.). CRC Handbook of Chemistry and Physics. 76th ed. 

 Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press Inc., 1995-1996., p. 823]**PEER REVIEWED** 

COLOR/FORM: 

 Colorless gas [Shipped as a liquefied compressed gas].[NIOSH. NIOSH Pocket 

 Guide to Chemical Hazards. DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 94-116. 

 Washington, D.C.: U.S. Government Printing Office, June 1994., p. 

 170]**PEER REVIEWED** 

ODOR: 

 Strong odor of rotten eggs [Note: Sense of smell becomes rapidly fatigued 

 & can NOT be relied upon to warn of the continuous presense of 

 hydrogen sulfide].[NIOSH. NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards. DHHS 

 (NIOSH) Publication No. 94-116. Washington, D.C.: U.S. Government Printing 

 Office, June 1994., p. 170]**PEER REVIEWED** 

 Offensive odor. [Lewis, R.J., Sr (Ed.). Hawley's Condensed Chemical 

 Dictionary. 12th ed. New York, NY: Van Nostrand Rheinhold Co., 1993, p. 

 617]**PEER REVIEWED** 

TASTE: 

 SWEETISH TASTE [Budavari, S. (ed.). The Merck Index - An Encyclopedia of 

 Chemicals, Drugs, and Biologicals. Whitehouse Station, NJ: Merck and Co., 

 Inc., 1996., p. 823]**PEER REVIEWED** 

BOILING POINT: 

 -60.33 DEG C [Budavari, S. (ed.). The Merck Index - An Encyclopedia of 

 Chemicals, Drugs, and Biologicals. Whitehouse Station, NJ: Merck and Co., 

 Inc., 1996., p. 823]**PEER REVIEWED** 

MELTING POINT: 

 -85.49 DEG C [Budavari, S. (ed.). The Merck Index - An Encyclopedia of 

Page 19 of 39

file://G:\ASB Chemical Assessments\Hydrogen Sulphide\References\HSDB 2007.htm 9/25/2008
 Chemicals, Drugs, and Biologicals. Whitehouse Station, NJ: Merck and Co., 

 Inc., 1996., p. 823]**PEER REVIEWED** 

CORROSIVITY: 

 Anhydrous hydrogen sulfide has low general corrosivity toward carbon 

 steel, aluminum, Inconel, Stellite and 300-series stainless steels at 

 moderate temperatures. Temperatures greater than ca 260 deg C can produce 

 severe sulfidation of carbon steel. Wet hydrogen sulfide can be quite 

 corrosive to carbon steel. [Kirk-Othmer Encyclopedia of Chemical 

 Technology. 4th ed. Volumes 1: New York, NY. John Wiley and Sons, 

 1991-Present., p. V23 281]**PEER REVIEWED** 

CRITICAL TEMPERATURE & PRESSURE: 

 Critical temperature: 373.56K; 100.4 deg C; 212.7 deg F Critical pressure; 

 9010 KPa; 90.1 bar; 1 306.5 psia; 88.9 atm [Matheson Gas Products; 

 Matheson Gas Data Book 6th Ed p.408 (1980)]**PEER REVIEWED** 

 Critical temperature: 373.2 K; critical pressure: 8.94 MPa. [Lide, D.R. 

 (ed.). CRC Handbook of Chemistry and Physics. 76th ed. Boca Raton, FL: CRC 

 Press Inc., 1995-1996., p. 6-56]**PEER REVIEWED** 

DENSITY/SPECIFIC GRAVITY: 

 1.5392 G/L AT 0 DEG C @ 760 MM HG; GAS: 1.19 (AIR= 1.00) [Budavari, S. 

 (ed.). The Merck Index - An Encyclopedia of Chemicals, Drugs, and 

 Biologicals. Whitehouse Station, NJ: Merck and Co., Inc., 1996., p. 

 823]**PEER REVIEWED** 

DISSOCIATION CONSTANTS: 

 pKa1 = 7.04; pKa2 = 11.96 [Budavari, S. (ed.). The Merck Index - An 

 Encyclopedia of Chemicals, Drugs, and Biologicals. Whitehouse Station, NJ: 

 Merck and Co., Inc., 1996., p. 823]**PEER REVIEWED** 

HEAT OF VAPORIZATION: 

 Molar enthalpy of vaporization: 14.08 kJ/mol at 25 deg C; 18.67 kJ/mol at 

 -59.55 deg C. [Lide, D.R. (ed.). CRC Handbook of Chemistry and Physics. 

 76th ed. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press Inc., 1995-1996., p. 6-116]**PEER 

 REVIEWED** 

PH: 

 FRESHLY PREPARED WATER SOLN: 4.5 [Budavari, S. (ed.). The Merck Index - An 

 Encyclopedia of Chemicals, Drugs, and Biologicals. Whitehouse Station, NJ: 

 Merck and Co., Inc., 1996., p. 823]**PEER REVIEWED** 

SOLUBILITIES: 

 SOL IN CARBON DISULFIDE [Weast, R.C. (ed.) Handbook of Chemistry and 

 Physics. 69th ed. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press Inc., 1988-1989., p. 

 B-95]**PEER REVIEWED** 

 1 G DISSOLVES IN 94.3 ML ABSOLUTE ALCOHOL @ 20 DEG C [Budavari, S. (ed.). 

 The Merck Index - An Encyclopedia of Chemicals, Drugs, and Biologicals. 

 Whitehouse Station, NJ: Merck and Co., Inc., 1996., p. 823]**PEER 

 REVIEWED** 

 1 G DISSOLVES IN 48.5 ML ETHER AT 20 DEG C [Budavari, S. (ed.). The Merck 

 Index - An Encyclopedia of Chemicals, Drugs, and Biologicals. Whitehouse 

 Station, NJ: Merck and Co., Inc., 1996., p. 823]**PEER REVIEWED** 

 In water, 3980 mg/l at 20 deg C. [Kirk-Othmer Encyclopedia of Chemical 

 Technology. 4th ed. Volumes 1: New York, NY. John Wiley and Sons, 

 1991-Present., p. V23 277]**PEER REVIEWED** 

Page 20 of 39

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 Soluble in glycerol, gasoline, kerosene, carbon disulfide, crude oil. 

 [Budavari, S. (ed.). The Merck Index - An Encyclopedia of Chemicals, 

 Drugs, and Biologicals. Whitehouse Station, NJ: Merck and Co., Inc., 

 1996., p. 823]**PEER REVIEWED** 

 Soluble in certain polar organic solvents, notably methanol, acetone, 

 propylene carbonate, sulfolane, tributyl phosphate, various glycols, and 

 glycol ethers. N-Methylpyrrolidine dissolves 49 ml/g at 20 deg C at 

 atmospheric pressure. [Kirk-Othmer Encyclopedia of Chemical Technology. 

 4th ed. Volumes 1: New York, NY. John Wiley and Sons, 1991-Present., p. 

 V23 276]**PEER REVIEWED** 

SPECTRAL PROPERTIES: 

 INDEX OF REFRACTION (LIQ): 1.374 [Weast, R.C. (ed.) Handbook of Chemistry 

 and Physics. 69th ed. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press Inc., 1988-1989., p. 

 B-95]**PEER REVIEWED** 

VAPOR DENSITY: 

 1.189 [Sax, N.I. Dangerous Properties of Industrial Materials. 6th ed. New 

 York, NY: Van Nostrand Reinhold, 1984., p. 1552]**PEER REVIEWED** 

VAPOR PRESSURE: 

 1.56X10+4 mm Hg @ 25 deg C /from experimentally-derived coefficients/ 

 [Daubert, T.E., R.P. Danner. Physical and Thermodynamic Properties of Pure 

 Chemicals Data Compilation. Washington, D.C.: Taylor and Francis, 1989., 

 p. ]**PEER REVIEWED** 

VISCOSITY: 

 Gas at 101.325 KPa at 25 deg C; 0.012 8 m Pa.S; 0.012 8 cP. [Matheson Gas 

 Products; Matheson Gas Data Book 6th Ed p.408 (1980)]**PEER REVIEWED** 

OTHER CHEMICAL/PHYSICAL PROPERTIES: 

 Triple Point; 187.62 K; -85.5 deg C; -122.0 deg F: Absolute density, Gas 

 at 101.325 kPa at 25 deg C 1.506 kg/cu m: Relative density, Gas at 101.325 

 kPa at 25 deg C (Air = 1) 1.188: Density, Liquid at Saturation Pressure at 

 -60.3 deg C 0.960 kg/l: Critical Temperature 373.56 K; 100.4 deg C; 212.7 

 deg F: Critical Volume 2.867 dm3/kg: Critical Density 0.349 kg/dm3: 

 Critical Compressibility Factor 0.283: Latent Heat of Fusion at -85.5 deg 

 C 2 376.5 J/mol; 69 741.2 J/kg; 16.67 kcal/kg Thermal Conductivity, Gas at 

 101.325 kPa at 15.6 deg C 0.014 004 W/(m.K); 33.5 x 10-6 cal/(sq cm deg C) 

 Solubility In Water at 101.325 kOPa at 25 deg C 2.257 cu m/1 cu m water: 

 Index of Refraction, Gas at 101.325 kPa, ND at 25 deg C 1.000 584 5: 

 Dielectric Constant; Gas at 0 deg C, 101.325 kPa 1.004: Liquid at -78.5 

 deg C 9.05. [Matheson Gas Products; Matheson Gas Data Book 6th Ed p.408 

 (1980)]**PEER REVIEWED** 

 Water solutions of hydrogen sulfide are not stable, absorbed oxygen causes 

 the formation of elemental sulfur and the solutions become turbid rapidly. 

 In a 50:50 v/v mixture of glycerol and water the precipitation of sulfur 

 is retarded considerably. [Budavari, S. (ed.). The Merck Index - An 

 Encyclopedia of Chemicals, Drugs, and Biologicals. Whitehouse Station, NJ: 

 Merck and Co., Inc., 1996., p. 823]**PEER REVIEWED** 

 Burns in air with a pale blue flame. [Budavari, S. (ed.). The Merck Index 

 - An Encyclopedia of Chemicals, Drugs, and Biologicals. Whitehouse 

 Station, NJ: Merck and Co., Inc., 1996., p. 823]**PEER REVIEWED** 

CHEMICAL SAFETY & HANDLING: 

Page 21 of 39

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DOT EMERGENCY GUIDELINES: 

 If ... THERE IS NO FIRE, go directly to the Table of Initial Isolation and 

 Protective Action Distances /(see table below)/ ... to obtain initial 

 isolation and protective action distances. IF THERE IS A FIRE, or IF A 

 FIRE IS INVOLVED, go directly to the appropriate guide /(see guide(s) 

 below)/ and use the evacuation information shown under PUBLIC SAFETY. 

 /Hydrogen sulfide; Hydrogen sulfide, liquefied/ Table of Initial Isolation 

 and Protective Action Distances for Hydrogen sulfide; Hydrogen sulfide, 

 liquefied Small Spills (from a small package or small leak from a large 

 package) -------------------- First ISOLATE in all Directions 30 

 meters (100 feet) Then PROTECT persons Downwind during DAY: 0.1 kilometers 

 (0.1 miles) Then PROTECT persons Downwind during NIGHT: 0.3 kilometers 

 (0.2 miles) ==================== Large Spills (from a large package or 

 from many small packages) -------------------- First ISOLATE in all 

 Directions 210 meters (700 feet) Then PROTECT persons Downwind during DAY: 

 2.1 kilometers (1.3 miles) Then PROTECT persons Downwind during NIGHT: 6.2 

 kilometers (3.9 miles) [U.S. Department of Transportation. 2004 Emergency 

 Response Guidebook. A Guide book for First Responders During the Initial 

 Phase of a Dangerous Goods/Hazardous Materials Incident. Washington, D.C. 

 2004303]**QC REVIEWED** 

 /GUIDE 117: GASES - TOXIC - FLAMMABLE (EXTREME HAZARD)/ Health: TOXIC; 

 Extremely Hazardous. May be fatal if inhaled or absorbed through skin. 

 Initial odor may be irritating or foul and may deaden your sense of smell. 

 Contact with gas or liquefied gas may cause burns, severe injury and/or 

 frostbite. Fire will produce irritating, corrosive and/or toxic gases. 

 Runoff from fire control may cause pollution. /Hydrogen sulfide; Hydrogen 

 sulfide, liquefied/ [U.S. Department of Transportation. 2004 Emergency 

 Response Guidebook. A Guide book for First Responders During the Initial 

 Phase of a Dangerous Goods/Hazardous Materials Incident. Washington, D.C. 

 2004]**QC REVIEWED** 

 /GUIDE 117: GASES - TOXIC - FLAMMABLE (EXTREME HAZARD)/ Fire or Explosion: 

 These materials are extremely flammable. May form explosive mixtures with 

 air. May be ignited by heat, sparks or flames. Vapors from liquefied gas 

 are initially heavier than air and spread along ground. Vapors may travel 

 to source of ignition and flash back. Runoff may create fire or explosion 

 hazard. Cylinders exposed to fire may vent and release toxic and flammable 

 gas through pressure relief devices. Containers may explode when heated. 

 Ruptured cylinders may rocket. /Hydrogen sulfide; Hydrogen sulfide, 

 liquefied/ [U.S. Department of Transportation. 2004 Emergency Response 

 Guidebook. A Guide book for First Responders During the Initial Phase of a 

 Dangerous Goods/Hazardous Materials Incident. Washington, D.C. 2004]**QC 

 REVIEWED** 

 /GUIDE 117: GASES - TOXIC - FLAMMABLE (EXTREME HAZARD)/ Public Safety: 

 CALL Emergency Response Telephone Number ... . As an immediate 

 precautionary measure, isolate spill or leak area for at least 100 meters 

 (330 feet) in all directions. Keep unauthorized personnel away. Stay 

 upwind. Many gases are heavier than air and will spread along ground and 

 collect in low or confined areas (sewers, basements, tanks). Keep out of 

 low areas. Ventilate closed spaces before entering. /Hydrogen sulfide; 

 Hydrogen sulfide, liquefied/ [U.S. Department of Transportation. 2004 

 Emergency Response Guidebook. A Guide book for First Responders During the 

 Initial Phase of a Dangerous Goods/Hazardous Materials Incident. 

 Washington, D.C. 2004]**QC REVIEWED** 

 /GUIDE 117: GASES - TOXIC - FLAMMABLE (EXTREME HAZARD)/ Protective 

Page 22 of 39

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 Clothing: Wear positive pressure self-contained breathing apparatus 

 (SCBA). Wear chemical protective clothing that is specifically recommended 

 by the manufacturer. It may provide little or no thermal protection. 

 Structural firefighters' protective clothing provides limited protection 

 in fire situations ONLY; it is not effective in spill situations where 

 direct contact with the substance is possible. /Hydrogen sulfide; Hydrogen 

 sulfide, liquefied/ [U.S. Department of Transportation. 2004 Emergency 

 Response Guidebook. A Guide book for First Responders During the Initial 

 Phase of a Dangerous Goods/Hazardous Materials Incident. Washington, D.C. 

 2004]**QC REVIEWED** 

 /GUIDE 117: GASES - TOXIC - FLAMMABLE (EXTREME HAZARD)/ Evacuation: ... 

 Fire: If tank, rail car or tank truck is involved in a fire, ISOLATE for 

 1600 meters (1 mile) in all directions; also, consider initial evacuation 

 for 1600 meters (1 mile) in all directions. /Hydrogen sulfide; Hydrogen 

 sulfide, liquefied/ [U.S. Department of Transportation. 2004 Emergency 

 Response Guidebook. A Guide book for First Responders During the Initial 

 Phase of a Dangerous Goods/Hazardous Materials Incident. Washington, D.C. 

 2004]**QC REVIEWED** 

 /GUIDE 117: GASES - TOXIC - FLAMMABLE (EXTREME HAZARD)/ Fire: DO NOT 

 EXTINGUISH A LEAKING GAS FIRE UNLESS LEAK CAN BE STOPPED. Small fires: Dry 

 chemical, CO2, water spray or regular foam. Large fires: Water spray, fog 

 or regular foam. Move containers from fire area if you can do it without 

 risk. Damaged cylinders should be handled only by specialists. Fire 

 involving tanks: Fight fire from maximum distance or use unmanned hose 

 holders or monitor nozzles. Cool containers with flooding quantities of 

 water until well after fire is out. Do not direct water at source of leak 

 or safety devices; icing may occur. Withdraw immediately in case of rising 

 sound from venting safety devices or discoloration of tank. ALWAYS stay 

 away from tanks engulfed in fire. /Hydrogen sulfide; Hydrogen sulfide, 

 liquefied/ [U.S. Department of Transportation. 2004 Emergency Response 

 Guidebook. A Guide book for First Responders During the Initial Phase of a 

 Dangerous Goods/Hazardous Materials Incident. Washington, D.C. 2004]**QC 

 REVIEWED** 

 /GUIDE 117: GASES - TOXIC - FLAMMABLE (EXTREME HAZARD)/ Spill or Leak: 

 ELIMINATE all ignition sources (no smoking, flares, sparks or flames in 

 immediate area). All equipment used when handling the product must be 

 grounded. Fully encapsulating, vapor protective clothing should be worn 

 for spills and leaks with no fire. Do not touch or walk through spilled 

 material. Stop leak if you can do it without risk. Use water spray to 

 reduce vapors or divert vapor cloud drift. Avoid allowing water runoff to 

 contact spilled material. Do not direct water at spill or source of leak. 

 If possible, turn leaking containers so that gas escapes rather than 

 liquid. Prevent entry into waterways, sewers, basements or confined areas. 

 Isolate area until gas has dispersed. Consider igniting spill or leak to 

 eliminate toxic gas concerns. /Hydrogen sulfide; Hydrogen sulfide, 

 liquefied/ [U.S. Department of Transportation. 2004 Emergency Response 

 Guidebook. A Guide book for First Responders During the Initial Phase of a 

 Dangerous Goods/Hazardous Materials Incident. Washington, D.C. 2004]**QC 

 REVIEWED** 

 /GUIDE 117: GASES - TOXIC - FLAMMABLE (EXTREME HAZARD)/ First Aid: Move 

 victim to fresh air. Call 911 or emergency medical service. Give 

 artificial respiration if victim is not breathing. Do not use 

 mouth-to-mouth method if victim ingested or inhaled the substance give 

 artificial respiration with the aid of a pocket mask equipped with a 

 one-way valve or other proper respiratory medical device. Administer 

 oxygen if breathing is difficult. Remove and isolate contaminated clothing 

Page 23 of 39

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 and shoes. In case of contact with substance, immediately flush skin or 

 eyes with running water for at least 20 minutes. In case of contact with 

 liquefied gas, thaw frosted parts with lukewarm water. In case of burns, 

 immediately cool affected skin for as long as possible with cold water. Do 

 not remove clothing if adhering to skin. Keep victim warm and quiet. Keep 

 victim under observation. Effects of contact or inhalation may be delayed. 

 Ensure that medical personnel are aware of the material(s) involved and 

 take precautions to protect themselves. /Hydrogen sulfide; Hydrogen 

 sulfide, liquefied/ [U.S. Department of Transportation. 2004 Emergency 

 Response Guidebook. A Guide book for First Responders During the Initial 

 Phase of a Dangerous Goods/Hazardous Materials Incident. Washington, D.C. 

 2004]**QC REVIEWED** 

ODOR THRESHOLD: 

 0.05 ppm [Dreisbach, R.H. Handbook of Poisoning. 12th ed. Norwalk, CT: 

 Appleton and Lange, 1987., p. 257]**PEER REVIEWED** 

 Detection limit in air: 1.30x10-1 ppm (purity not specified) [Fazzalari, 

 F.A. (ed.). Compilation of Odor and Taste Threshold Values Data. ASTM Data 

 Series DS 48A (Committee E-18). Philadelphia, PA: American Society for 

 Testing and Materials, 1978., p. 87]**PEER REVIEWED** 

 Detection limit in air: 1.80x10-4 ppm (purity not specified) [Fazzalari, 

 F.A. (ed.). Compilation of Odor and Taste Threshold Values Data. ASTM Data 

 Series DS 48A (Committee E-18). Philadelphia, PA: American Society for 

 Testing and Materials, 1978., p. 87]**PEER REVIEWED** 

 Detection limit in air: 4.7x10-3 ppm (chemically pure) [Fazzalari, F.A. 

 (ed.). Compilation of Odor and Taste Threshold Values Data. ASTM Data 

 Series DS 48A (Committee E-18). Philadelphia, PA: American Society for 

 Testing and Materials, 1978., p. 87]**PEER REVIEWED** 

 Odor low = 0.0007 cu m; Odor high = 0.0140 cu m; irritating conc. 14.00 

 mg/cu m. [Ruth JH; Am Ind Hyg Assoc J 47: A-142-51 (1986)]**PEER 

 REVIEWED** 

 ... Olfactory fatigue level: 100 ppm. Olfactory nerve paralysis: 150 ppm. 

 ... [Sullivan, J.B. Jr., G.R. Krieger (eds.). Hazardous Materials 

 Toxicology-Clinical Principles of Environmental Health. Baltimore, MD: 

 Williams and Wilkins, 1992., p. 712]**PEER REVIEWED** 

SKIN, EYE AND RESPIRATORY IRRITATIONS: 

 The direct action of H2S on mucous membranes is usually observed first by 

 symptoms of eye irritation, resulting from local inflammation of the 

 conjunctiva and cornea. Acute inflammation of conjunctiva accompanied by 

 lacrimation and mucopurulent exudate is not uncommon. In severe cases, 

 corneal erosion with blurred vision may also occur. Occasionally, corneal 

 ulceration may occur, resulting in impaired vision. Since the cornea is 

 affected together with the conjunctiva in many instances, 

 keratoconjunctivitis rather than conjunctivitis more accurately describes 

 the ophthalmologic effects of H2S exposure. In general, irritation of the 

 eyes occurs at a concentration of H2S of 50 ppm; however, conjunctivitis 

 or "sore eyes" have been observed upon exposures in the range of 5-100 

 ppm. [Sullivan, J.B. Jr., G.R. Krieger (eds.). Hazardous Materials 

 Toxicology-Clinical Principles of Environmental Health. Baltimore, MD: 

 Williams and Wilkins, 1992., p. 713]**PEER REVIEWED** 

 Eye and respiratory tract irritation is noticeable at 50 ppm. ... 

 [Sullivan, J.B. Jr., G.R. Krieger (eds.). Hazardous Materials 

 Toxicology-Clinical Principles of Environmental Health. Baltimore, MD: 

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 Williams and Wilkins, 1992., p. 712]**PEER REVIEWED** 

 Irritant to eyes and mucuous membranes ... [Lewis, R.J. Sax's Dangerous 

 Properties of Industrial Materials. 9th ed. Volumes 1-3. New York, NY: Van 

 Nostrand Reinhold, 1996., p. 1843]**PEER REVIEWED** 

 The irritant effect of H2S extends rather uniformly throughout the entire 

 respiratory tract, resulting in rhinitis, pharyngitis, laryngitis, 

 bronchitis, and pneumonia. Cough, sore throat, hoarseness, runny nose, and 

 chest tightness are the most common symptoms of exposure between 50 and 

 250 ppm. [Sullivan, J.B. Jr., G.R. Krieger (eds.). Hazardous Materials 

 Toxicology-Clinical Principles of Environmental Health. Baltimore, MD: 

 Williams and Wilkins, 1992., p. 713]**PEER REVIEWED** 

FIRE POTENTIAL: 

 FLAMMABLE GAS. LOW IGNITION ENERGY. [Fire Protection Guide to Hazardous 

 Materials. 12 ed. Quincy, MA: National Fire Protection Association, 

 1997., p. 49-79]**QC REVIEWED** 

NFPA HAZARD CLASSIFICATION: 

 FLAMMABILITY: 4. 4= VERY FLAMMABLE GASES, VERY VOLATILE FLAMMABLE LIQ, 

 & MATERIALS THAT IN FORM OF DUSTS OR MISTS READILY FORM EXPLOSIVE 

 MIXTURES WHEN DISPERSED IN AIR. SHUT OFF FLOW OF GAS OR LIQ & KEEP 

 COOLING WATER STREAMS ON EXPOSED TANKS OR CONTAINERS. USE WATER SPRAY 

 CAREFULLY IN VICINITY OF DUSTS SO AS NOT TO CREATE DUST CLOUDS. [Fire 

 Protection Guide to Hazardous Materials. 12 ed. Quincy, MA: National Fire 

 Protection Association, 1997., p. 325-59]**QC REVIEWED** 

 Flammability: 4. 4= This degree includes flammable gases, pyrophoric 

 liquids, and Class IA flammable liquids. The preferred method of fire 

 attack is to stop the flow of material or to protect exposures while 

 allowing the fire to burn itself out. [Fire Protection Guide to Hazardous 

 Materials. 12 ed. Quincy, MA: National Fire Protection Association, 

 1997., p. 325-8]**QC REVIEWED** 

 REACTIVITY: 0. 0= MATERIALS WHICH ARE NORMALLY STABLE EVEN UNDER FIRE 

 EXPOSURE CONDITIONS & WHICH ARE NOT REACTIVE WITH WATER. NORMAL FIRE 

 FIGHTING PROCEDURES MAY BE USED. [Fire Protection Guide to Hazardous 

 Materials. 12 ed. Quincy, MA: National Fire Protection Association, 

 1997., p. 325-59]**QC REVIEWED** 

FLAMMABLE LIMITS: 

 LOWER: 4.0; UPPER: 44% (1% by vol) [Fire Protection Guide to Hazardous 

 Materials. 12 ed. Quincy, MA: National Fire Protection Association, 

 1997., p. 325-59]**QC REVIEWED** 

AUTOIGNITION TEMPERATURE: 

 500 DEG F (260 DEG C) [Fire Protection Guide to Hazardous Materials. 12 

 ed. Quincy, MA: National Fire Protection Association, 1997., p. 

 325-59]**QC REVIEWED** 

FIRE FIGHTING PROCEDURES: 

 STOP FLOW OF GAS. USE WATER TO KEEP FIRE EXPOSED CONTAINERS COOL & TO 

 PROTECT MEN EFFECTING SHUT OFF. [National Fire Protection Association. 

 Fire Protection Guide on Hazardous Materials. 9th ed. Boston, MA: National 

 Fire Protection Association, 1986., p. 49-54]**PEER REVIEWED** 

 Do not extinguish fire unless flow can be stopped. Use water in flooding 

 quantities as fog. Apply water from as far a distance as possible. Cool 

 all affected containers with flooding quantities of water. Use water spray 

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 to knock-down vapors. [Association of American Railroads. Emergency 

 Handling of Hazardous Materials in Surface Transportation. Washington, DC: 

 Association of American Railroads, Bureau of Explosives, 1994., p. 

 586]**PEER REVIEWED** 

 Evacuation: If fire becomes uncontrollable or container is exposed to 

 direct flame - consider evacuation of one-half (1/2) mile radius. 

 [Association of American Railroads. Emergency Handling of Hazardous 

 Materials in Surface Transportation. Washington, DC: Association of 

 American Railroads, Bureau of Explosives, 1994., p. 586]**PEER REVIEWED** 

FIREFIGHTING HAZARDS: 

 HEAVIER THAN AIR ... & MAY TRAVEL CONSIDERABLE DISTANCE TO SOURCE OF 

 IGNITION & FLASHBACK. [National Fire Protection Association. Fire 

 Protection Guide on Hazardous Materials. 9th ed. Boston, MA: National Fire 

 Protection Association, 1986., p. 49-54]**PEER REVIEWED** 

EXPLOSIVE LIMITS & POTENTIAL: 

 Lower explosive limit: 4.3% Upper explosive limit: 45.5% [Sullivan, J.B. 

 Jr., G.R. Krieger (eds.). Hazardous Materials Toxicology-Clinical 

 Principles of Environmental Health. Baltimore, MD: Williams and Wilkins, 

 1992., p. 716]**PEER REVIEWED** 

 Moderately explosive when exposed to heat or flame. Explodes on contact 

 with oxygen difluoride; nitrogen trichloride; bromine pentafluoride; 

 chlorine trifluoride; dichlorine oxide; silver fulminate. Potentially 

 explosive reaction with copper + oxygen. Explosive reaction when heated 

 with perchloryl fluoride (above 100 degrees C); oxygen (above 280 degrees 

 C). [Lewis, R.J. Sax's Dangerous Properties of Industrial Materials. 9th 

 ed. Volumes 1-3. New York, NY: Van Nostrand Reinhold, 1996., p. 

 1844]**PEER REVIEWED** 

 FORMS EXPLOSIVE MIXTURES WITH AIR OVER WIDE RANGE. [Fire Protection Guide 

 to Hazardous Materials. 12 ed. Quincy, MA: National Fire Protection 

 Association, 1997., p. 49-79]**QC REVIEWED** 

HAZARDOUS REACTIVITIES & INCOMPATIBILITIES: 

 Fuming nitric acid reacts with incandescence with hydrogen sulfide. [Fire 

 Protection Guide to Hazardous Materials. 12 ed. Quincy, MA: National Fire 

 Protection Association, 1997., p. 491-99]**QC REVIEWED** 

 FORMS EXPLOSIVE REACTIONS WITH BROMINE PENTAFLUORIDE, CHLORINE 

 TRIFLUORIDE, NITROGEN TRIIODIDE, NITROGEN TRICHLORIDE, OXYGEN DIFLUORIDE 

 & PHENYL DIAZONIUM CHLORIDE. [Fire Protection Guide to Hazardous 

 Materials. 12 ed. Quincy, MA: National Fire Protection Association, 

 1997., p. 491-99]**QC REVIEWED** 

 Addition of powdered copper to 1:2 mixture of hydrogen sulfide and oxygen 

 causes the metal to become incandescent and ignite the explosive mixture. 

 [Bretherick, L. Handbook of Reactive Chemical Hazards. 4th ed. Boston, MA: 

 Butterworth-Heinemann Ltd., 1990, p. 1224]**PEER REVIEWED** 

 A mixture of /hydrogen sulfide/ with air passed over copper powder may 

 attain red heat. Finely divided tungsten glows red hot in a stream of 

 hydrogen sulfide. [Bretherick, L. Handbook of Reactive Chemical Hazards. 

 4th ed. Boston, MA: Butterworth-Heinemann Ltd., 1990, p. 1224]**PEER 

 REVIEWED** 

 Hydrogen sulfide is rapidly oxidized and may ignite in contact with a 

 range of metal oxides, including barium peroxide, ... copper oxide, lead 

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 dioxide, manganese dioxide, nickel oxide, silver(I)oxide, silver(II)oxide, 

 sodium peroxide and thallium(III)oxide. In the presence of air, contact 

 with mixtures of calcium oxide or barium oxide with mercury oxide or 

 nickel oxide may cause vivid incandescence or explosion. [Bretherick, L. 

 Handbook of Reactive Chemical Hazards. 4th ed. Boston, MA: 

 Butterworth-Heinemann Ltd., 1990, p. 1224]**PEER REVIEWED** 

 When hydrogen sulfide is passed over heated chromium trioxide, 

 decomposition occurs with incandescence. [National Fire Protection 

 Association. Fire Protection Guide on Hazardous Materials. 9th ed. Boston, 

 MA: National Fire Protection Association, 1986., p. 491M-65]**PEER 

 REVIEWED** 

 Fluorine ignites in contact with hydrogen sulfide. [Fire Protection Guide 

 to Hazardous Materials. 12 ed. Quincy, MA: National Fire Protection 

 Association, 1997., p. 491-87]**QC REVIEWED** 

 Hydrogen sulfide ignites in contact with chlorine monoxide. [Fire 

 Protection Guide to Hazardous Materials. 12 ed. Quincy, MA: National Fire 

 Protection Association, 1997., p. 491-99]**QC REVIEWED** 

 Strong oxidizers, strong nitric acid, metals. [NIOSH. NIOSH Pocket Guide 

 to Chemical Hazards. DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 97-140. Washington, D.C. 

 U.S. Government Printing Office, 1997., p. 170]**QC REVIEWED** 

HAZARDOUS DECOMPOSITION: 

 When heated to decomposition it emits highly toxic fumes of sulfoxides. 

 [Lewis, R.J. Sax's Dangerous Properties of Industrial Materials. 9th ed. 

 Volumes 1-3. New York, NY: Van Nostrand Reinhold, 1996., p. 1844]**PEER 

 REVIEWED** 

IMMEDIATELY DANGEROUS TO LIFE OR HEALTH: 

 100 ppm [NIOSH. NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards. DHHS (NIOSH) 

 Publication No. 97-140. Washington, D.C. U.S. Government Printing Office, 

 1997., p. 170]**QC REVIEWED** 

PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT & CLOTHING: 

 /WEAR/ RUBBER-FRAMED GOGGLES; APPROVED RESP PROTECTION. [U.S. Coast Guard, 

 Department of Transportation. CHRIS - Hazardous Chemical Data. Volume II. 

 Washington, D.C.: U.S. Government Printing Office, 1984-5., p. ]**PEER 

 REVIEWED** 

 THE USE OF LIQUID MANURE STORAGE FACILITIES POSES SEVERAL SERIOUS THREATS: 

 TOXIC GAS INHALATION, ASPHYXIATION, ASPIRATION OF LIQUID MANURE, AND 

 INFECTION. HYDROGEN SULFIDE POISONING IN A MANURE STORAGE PIT RESULTED IN 

 THREE DEATHS. THESE ACCIDENTS CAN BE PREVENTED BY THE USE OF A 

 SELF-CONTAINED BREATHING APPARATUS AND A SAFETY LINE, AS WELL AS THE 

 PRESENCE OF A SECOND PERSON FOR RESCUE IF NECESSARY. [OSBERN LN, CRAPO RO; 

 ANN INTERN MED 95 (3): 312-4 (1981)]**PEER REVIEWED** 

 Wear appropriate chemical protective clothing. Wear positive pressure 

 self-contained breathing apparatus. [Association of American Railroads. 

 Emergency Handling of Hazardous Materials in Surface Transportation. 

 Washington, DC: Association of American Railroads, Bureau of Explosives, 

 1994., p. 586]**PEER REVIEWED** 

 Safety devices by the DOT and approved by The Bureau of Explosives are 

 required in hydrogen sulfide service, but are prohibited on DOT 106-A800X 

 containers. The type approved is fusible metal having a melting point of 

 approximately 73.9 deg C (165 deg F). When the cylinder is over 30 inches 

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 long, this type of device is required in both ends of the cylinder. When 

 this device is placed in a valve it must either be poured into the valve, 

 making it inaccessible, or put into a round plug which screws into the 

 back of the valve. Due to the fact that many of the fusible devices in 

 hydrogen sulfide cylinder valves were developing pin hole leaks, Matheson 

 has gained approval from the Bureau of Explosives to ship cylinders with 

 valves having safety devices containing a frangible disc that is gold 

 plated, and prevents any corrosion from taking place at the interface 

 between the valve body and the fusible metal, thus preventing leaks from 

 developing. [Matheson Gas Products; Matheson Gas Data Book 6th Ed p.410 

 (1980)]**PEER REVIEWED** 

 Wear appropriate personal protective clothing to prevent the skin from 

 becoming frozen from contact with the liquid or from contact with vessels 

 containing the liquid. [NIOSH. NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards. 

 DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 97-140. Washington, D.C. U.S. Government 

 Printing Office, 1997., p. 170]**QC REVIEWED** 

 Wear appropriate eye protection to prevent eye contact with the liquid 

 that could result in burns or tissue damage from frostbite. [NIOSH. NIOSH 

 Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards. DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 97-140. 

 Washington, D.C. U.S. Government Printing Office, 1997., p. 170]**QC 

 REVIEWED** 

 Quick drench facilities and/or eyewash fountains should be provided within 

 the immediate work area for emergency use where there is any possibility 

 of exposure to liquids that are extremely cold or rapidly evaporating. 

 [NIOSH. NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards. DHHS (NIOSH) Publication 

 No. 97-140. Washington, D.C. U.S. Government Printing Office, 1997., p. 

 170]**QC REVIEWED** 

 Recommendations for respirator selection. Max concn for use: 100 ppm. 

 Respirator Class(es): Any powered, air-purifying respirator with 

 cartridge(s) providing protection against the compound of concern. Any 

 air-purifying, full-facepiece respirator (gas mask) with a chin-style, 

 front- or back-mounted canister providing protection against the compound 

 of concern. Any supplied-air respirator. May require eye protection. Any 

 self-contained breathing apparatus with a full facepiece. [NIOSH. NIOSH 

 Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards. DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 97-140. 

 Washington, D.C. U.S. Government Printing Office, 1997., p. 170]**QC 

 REVIEWED** 

 Recommendations for respirator selection. Condition: Emergency or planned 

 entry into unknown concn or IDLH conditions: Respirator Class(es): Any 

 self-contained breathing apparatus that has a full facepiece and is 

 operated in a pressure-demand or other positive-pressure mode. Any 

 supplied-air respirator that has a full facepiece and is operated in a 

 pressure-demand or other positive-pressure mode in combination with an 

 auxiliary self-contained breathing apparatus operated in pressure-demand 

 or other positive-pressure mode. [NIOSH. NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical 

 Hazards. DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 97-140. Washington, D.C. U.S. 

 Government Printing Office, 1997., p. 170]**QC REVIEWED** 

 Recommendations for respirator selection. Condition: Escape from suddenly 

 occurring respiratory hazards: Respirator Class(es): Any air-purifying, 

 full-facepiece respirator (gas mask) with a chin-style, front- or 

 back-mounted canister providing protection against the compound of 

 concern. Any appropriate escape-type, self-contained breathing apparatus. 

 [NIOSH. NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards. DHHS (NIOSH) Publication 

 No. 97-140. Washington, D.C. U.S. Government Printing Office, 1997., p. 

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 170]**QC REVIEWED** 

PREVENTIVE MEASURES: 

 Contact lenses should not be worn when working with this chemical. [NIOSH. 

 NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards. DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 

 97-140. Washington, D.C. U.S. Government Printing Office, 1997., p. 

 170]**QC REVIEWED** 

 SRP: The scientific literature for the use of contact lenses in industry 

 is conflicting. The benefit or detrimental effects of wearing contact 

 lenses depend not only upon the substance, but also on factors including 

 the form of the substance, characteristics and duration of the exposure, 

 the uses of other eye protection equipment, and the hygiene of the lenses. 

 However, there may be individual substances whose irritating or corrosive 

 properties are such that the wearing of contact lenses would be harmful to 

 the eye. In those specific cases, contact lenses should not be worn. In 

 any event, the usual eye protection equipment should be worn even when 

 contact lenses are in place. **PEER REVIEWED** 

 If material /is/ not on fire and not involved in fire: Keep sparks, 

 flames, and other sources of ignition away. Keep material out of water 

 sources and sewers. Attempt to stop leak if without undue personnel 

 hazard. Use water spray to knock down vapors. [Association of American 

 Railroads. Emergency Handling of Hazardous Materials in Surface 

 Transportation. Washington, DC: Association of American Railroads, Bureau 

 of Explosives, 1994., p. 586]**PEER REVIEWED** 

 Avoid breathing vapors. Keep upwind. ... Do not handle broken packages 

 unless wearing appropriate personal protective equipment. Wash away any 

 material which may have contacted the body with copious amounts of water 

 or soap and water. Approach fire with caution. [Association of American 

 Railroads. Emergency Handling of Hazardous Materials in Surface 

 Transportation. Washington, DC: Association of American Railroads, Bureau 

 of Explosives, 1994., p. 586]**PEER REVIEWED** 

 Evacuation: If material leaking (not on fire) consider evacuation of one 

 half (1/2) mile. Radius based on amount of material spilled, location and 

 weather conditions. [Association of American Railroads. Emergency Handling 

 of Hazardous Materials in Surface Transportation. Washington, DC: 

 Association of American Railroads, Bureau of Explosives, 1994., p. 

 586]**PEER REVIEWED** 

 HYDROGEN SULFIDE SHOULD NEVER BE USED FROM CYLINDER WITHOUT REDUCING 

 PRESSURE THROUGH SUITABLE REGULATOR ATTACHED DIRECTLY TO CYLINDER. 

 [National Research Council. Prudent Practices for Handling Hazardous 

 Chemicals in Laboratories. Washington, DC: National Academy Press, 1981., 

 p. 99]**PEER REVIEWED** 

 Personnel using hydrogen sulfide should work in pairs. They should wear 

 for instantaneous use a gas mask with an all purpose canister or a light 

 three minute unit with a self contained air supply, which can be donned 

 quickly before evacuating the area. Operators should carry wet lead 

 acetate paper (turns black in the presence of minute amounts of hydrogen 

 sulfide) on their wrists or belt for detection of dangerous concentrations 

 of gas. In addition, there should be provided multipoint air samplers with 

 alarms for plant production units to constantly monitor the air in and 

 around the units. [Matheson Gas Products; Matheson Gas Data Book 6th Ed 

 p.409 (1980)]**PEER REVIEWED** 

 The following specific precautions should be observed: 1. Do not store 

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 reserve stocks of hydrogen sulfide cylinders with cylinders containing 

 oxygen or other highly oxidizing or combustible materials. 2. Ground all 

 lines and equipment used with hydrogen sulfide. 3. Use check valves or 

 traps to prevent suckback into the cylinder. 4. Use a cylinder size which 

 can be conveniently emptied in a reasonably short amount of time. 5. Keep 

 gas masks approved for hydrogen sulfide service in an area not likely to 

 be contaminated, ready for use in case of emergency. [Matheson Gas 

 Products; Matheson Gas Data Book 6th Ed p.409 (1980)]**PEER REVIEWED** 

 Hydrogen sulfide may readily cause pipes and valves to corrode or become 

 brittle, lines and fittings likely to contain hydrogen sulfide should be 

 inspected frequently and receive special attention, monitoring, and 

 maintenance to prevent leaks. [NIOSH: Occupational Exposure to Hydrogen 

 Sulfide; p.85 (1977) DHEW (NIOSH) Publication # 77-158]**PEER REVIEWED** 

 EARLY EVALUATION OF PROCESS PLANTS, SUCH AS THE CLAUS TYPE SRU (SULFUR 

 RECOVERY UNIT), IN THE DESIGN STAGE MINIMIZES WORKER EXPOSURE TO TOXIC 

 CHEMICALS. THE CLAUS TYPE SRU CONVERTS THE HYDROGEN SULFIDE IN REFINERY 

 ACID GAS INTO ELEMENTAL SULFUR. THE SRU HANDLES HIGH CONCENTRATIONS OF 

 HYDROGEN SULFIDE, SULFUR DIOXIDE AND OTHER SULFUR COMPOUNDS. [AMARNAMI SH, 

 POWELL RW; AM IND HYG ASSOC J 43 (1): 49-53 (1982)]**PEER REVIEWED** 

 SRP: Contaminated protective clothing should be segregated in such a 

 manner so that there is no direct personal contact by personnel who 

 handle, dispose, or clean the clothing. Quality assurance to ascertain the 

 completeness of the cleaning procedures should be implemented before the 

 decontaminated protective clothing is returned for reuse by the workers. 

 Contaminated clothing should not be taken home at end of shift, but should 

 remain at employee's place of work for cleaning. **PEER REVIEWED** 

 Work clothing that becomes wet should be immediately removed due to its 

 flammability hazard. [NIOSH. NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards. DHHS 

 (NIOSH) Publication No. 97-140. Washington, D.C. U.S. Government Printing 

 Office, 1997., p. 170]**QC REVIEWED** 

STABILITY/SHELF LIFE: 

 WATER SOLN ARE NOT STABLE [Budavari, S. (ed.). The Merck Index - An 

 Encyclopedia of Chemicals, Drugs, and Biologicals. Whitehouse Station, NJ: 

 Merck and Co., Inc., 1996., p. 823]**PEER REVIEWED** 

SHIPMENT METHODS AND REGULATIONS: 

 No person may /transport,/ offer or accept a hazardous material for 

 transportation in commerce unless that person is registered in conformance 

 ... and the hazardous material is properly classed, described, packaged, 

 marked, labeled, and in condition for shipment as required or authorized 

 by ... /the hazardous materials regulations (49 CFR 171-177)./ [49 CFR 

 171.2; U.S. National Archives and Records Administration's Electronic Code 

 of Federal Regulations. Available from: http://www.gpoaccess.gov/ecfr/ as 

 of February 15, 2006 ]**QC REVIEWED** 

 The International Air Transport Association (IATA) Dangerous Goods 

 Regulations are published by the IATA Dangerous Goods Board pursuant to 

 IATA Resolutions 618 and 619 and constitute a manual of industry carrier 

 regulations to be followed by all IATA Member airlines when transporting 

 hazardous materials. [International Air Transport Association. Dangerous 

 Goods Regulations. 47th Edition. Montreal, Quebec Canada. 2006., p. 

 203]**QC REVIEWED** 

 The International Maritime Dangerous Goods Code lays down basic principles 

 for transporting hazardous chemicals. Detailed recommendations for 

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 individual substances and a number of recommendations for good practice 

 are included in the classes dealing with such substances. A general index 

 of technical names has also been compiled. This index should always be 

 consulted when attempting to locate the appropriate procedures to be used 

 when shipping any substance or article. [International Maritime 

 Organization. International Maritime Dangerous Goods Code. London, UK. 

 2004., p. 44]**QC REVIEWED** 

STORAGE CONDITIONS: 

 Store in a cool, dry, well-ventilated location. Separate from oxidizing 

 materials. [Fire Protection Guide to Hazardous Materials. 12 ed. Quincy, 

 MA: National Fire Protection Association, 1997., p. 49-79]**QC REVIEWED** 

CLEANUP METHODS: 

 1) REMOVE ALL IGNITION SOURCES. 2) VENTILATE AREA OF SPILL OR LEAK TO 

 DISPERSE GAS. 3) IF IN GASEOUS FORM, STOP FLOW OF GAS. IF SOURCE OF LEAK 

 IS CYLINDER & ... CANNOT BE STOPPED IN PLACE, REMOVE THE LEAKING 

 CYLINDER TO A SAFE PLACE IN THE OPEN AIR, & REPAIR THE LEAK OR ALLOW 

 THE CYCLINDER TO EMPTY. 4) IF IN LIQ FORM, ALLOW TO VAPORIZE. [Mackison, 

 F. W., R. S. Stricoff, and L. J. Partridge, Jr. (eds.). NIOSH/OSHA - 

 Occupational Health Guidelines for Chemical Hazards. DHHS(NIOSH) 

 Publication No. 81-123 (3 VOLS). Washington, DC: U.S. Government Printing 

 Office, Jan. 1981., p. 1]**PEER REVIEWED** 

 METHODS FOR THE BIOLOGICAL TREATMENT OF ACID MINE DRAINAGE WERE EVALUATED. 

 HYDROGEN SULFIDE PRODUCED BY SULFATE REDUCTION CAN POTENTIALLY REACT WITH 

 METALS IN SOLUTION TO FORM METAL SULFIDE PRECIPITATES. THE UTILITY OF A 

 PILOT PLANT DESIGN INCORPORATING ANAEROBIC DIGESTION, SULFATE REDUCTION, 

 AERATION AND FINAL CLARIFICATION AND SETTLING WAS DEMONSTRATED. [HERRICKS 

 EE; UNIV ILL URBANA-CHAMPAIGN WATER RESOUR CENT RES REP 0 (173): 1-88 

 (1982)]**PEER REVIEWED** 

 Land spill: Dike surface flow using soil, sand bags, foamed polyurethane, 

 or foamed concrete. Absorb bulk liquid with fly ash or cement powder. 

 Neutralize with agricultural lime (CaO), crushed limestone (CaCO3) or 

 sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3). [Association of American Railroads. Emergency 

 Handling of Hazardous Materials in Surface Transportation. Washington, DC: 

 Association of American Railroads, Bureau of Explosives, 1994., p. 

 586]**PEER REVIEWED** 

 Water spill: Neutralize with agricultural lime (CaO), crushed limestone 

 (CaCO3), or sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3). [Association of American 

 Railroads. Emergency Handling of Hazardous Materials in Surface 

 Transportation. Washington, DC: Association of American Railroads, Bureau 

 of Explosives, 1994., p. 586]**PEER REVIEWED** 

 Air spill: Apply water spray or mist to knock down vapors. Vapor knockdown 

 water is corrosive or toxic and should be diked for containment. 

 [Association of American Railroads. Emergency Handling of Hazardous 

 Materials in Surface Transportation. Washington, DC: Association of 

 American Railroads, Bureau of Explosives, 1994., p. 586]**PEER REVIEWED** 

DISPOSAL METHODS: 

 Generators of waste (equal to or greater than 100 kg/mo) containing this 

 contaminant, EPA hazardous waste number U135, must conform with USEPA 

 regulations in storage, transportation, treatment and disposal of waste. 

 [40 CFR 240-280, 300-306, 702-799 (7/1/89)]**PEER REVIEWED** 

 [USEPA; Engineering Handbook for Hazardous Waste Incineration p.3-14 

 (1981) EPA 68-03-3025][USEPA; Engineering Handbook for Hazardous Waste 

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 Incineration p.3-14 (1981) EPA 68-03-3025]**PEER REVIEWED** 

 A potential candidate for rotary kiln incineration at a temperature range 

 of 820 to 1,600 deg C and residence times of seconds for liquids and 

 gases, and hours for solids. **PEER REVIEWED** 

 A potential candidate for fluidized bed incineration at a temperature 

 range of 450 to 980 deg C and residence times of seconds for liquids and 

 gases, and longer for solids. **PEER REVIEWED** 

OCCUPATIONAL EXPOSURE STANDARDS: 

OSHA STANDARDS: 

 Permissible Exposure Limit: Table Z-2 Acceptable Ceiling Concentration: 20 

 ppm. [29 CFR 1910.1000 (7/1/98)]**QC REVIEWED** 

 Permissible Exposure Limit: Table Z-2 Acceptable maximum peak above the 

 acceptable ceiling concentration for an 8-hour shift. Concentration: 50 

 ppm. Maximum Duration: 10 minutes once, only if no other meas. exp. 

 occurs. [29 CFR 1910.1000 (7/1/98)]**QC REVIEWED** 

 Vacated 1989 OSHA PEL TWA 10 ppm (14 mg/cu m); STEL 15 ppm (21 mg/cu m) is 

 still enforced in some states. [NIOSH. NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical 

 Hazards. DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 97-140. Washington, D.C. U.S. 

 Government Printing Office, 1997., p. 365]**QC REVIEWED** 

THRESHOLD LIMIT VALUES: 

 8 hr Time Weighted Avg (TWA): 10 ppm; 15 min Short Term Exposure Limit 

 (STEL): 15 ppm. [ American Conference of Governmental Industrial 

 Hygienists TLVs and BEIs. Threshold Limit Values for Chemical 

 Substances and Physical Agents and Biological Exposure Indices. 

 Cincinnati, OH, 2005, p. 34]**QC REVIEWED** 

 2005 Notice of Intended Changes: These substances, with their 

 corresponding values and notations, comprise those for which (1) a limit 

 is proposed for the first time, (2) a change in the Adopted value is 

 proposed, (3) retention as an NIC is proposed, or (4) withdrawal of the 

 Documentation and adopted TLV is proposed. In each case, the proposals 

 should be considered trial values during the period they are on the NIC. 

 These proposals were ratified by the ACGIH Board of Directors and will 

 remain on the NIC for approximately one year following this ratification. 

 If, during the year, the Committee neither finds nor receives any 

 substantive data that change its scientific opinion regarding an NIC TLV, 

 the Committee may then approve its recommendation to the ACGIH Board of 

 Directors for adoption. If the Committee finds or receives substantive 

 data that change its scientific opinion regarding an NIC TLV, the 

 Committee may change its recommendation to the ACGIH Board of Directors 

 for the matter to be either retained on or withdrawn from the NIC. 8 hr 

 Time Weighted Avg (TWA): 1 ppm; 15 min Short Term Exposure Limit (STEL): 5 

 ppm; TLV Basis-Critical Effect(s): Upper respiratory tract irritation; 

 CNS. [ American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists TLVs 

 and BEIs. Threshold Limit Values for Chemical Substances and Physical 

 Agents and Biological Exposure Indices. Cincinnati, OH, 2005, p. 62]**QC 

 REVIEWED** 

NIOSH RECOMMENDATIONS: 

 Recommended Exposure Limit: 10 Min Ceiling Value: 10 ppm (15 mg/cu m). 

 [NIOSH. NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards. DHHS (NIOSH) Publication 

Page 32 of 39

file://G:\ASB Chemical Assessments\Hydrogen Sulphide\References\HSDB 2007.htm 9/25/2008
 No. 97-140. Washington, D.C. U.S. Government Printing Office, 1997., p. 

 170]**QC REVIEWED** 

IMMEDIATELY DANGEROUS TO LIFE OR HEALTH: 

 100 ppm [NIOSH. NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards. DHHS (NIOSH) 

 Publication No. 97-140. Washington, D.C. U.S. Government Printing Office, 

 1997., p. 170]**QC REVIEWED** 

OTHER OCCUPATIONAL PERMISSIBLE LEVELS: 

 Emergency Response Planning Guidelines (ERPG): ERPG(1) 0.1 ppm (no more 

 than mild, transient effects) for up to 1 hr exposure; ERPG(2) 30 ppm 

 (without serious, adverse effects) for up to 1 hr exposure; ERPG(3) 100 

 ppm (not life threatening) up to 1 hr exposure. [American Industrial 

 Hygiene Association. The AIHA 1999 Emergency Response Planning Guidelines 

 and Workplace Environmental Exposure Level Guides Handbook. American 

 Industrial Hygiene Association. Fairfax, VA 1999., p. 26]**QC REVIEWED** 

MANUFACTURING/USE INFORMATION: 

MAJOR USES: 

 To produce elemental sulfur and sulfuric acid; in manuf of heavy water and 

 other chemicals; in metallurgy; as analytical reagent. [Budavari, S. 

 (ed.). The Merck Index - An Encyclopedia of Chemicals, Drugs, and 

 Biologicals. Whitehouse Station, NJ: Merck and Co., Inc., 1996., p. 

 823]**PEER REVIEWED** 

 IN AGRICULTURE IT IS USED AS A DISINFECTANT [International Labour Office. 

 Encyclopedia of Occupational Health and Safety. Vols. I&II. Geneva, 

 Switzerland: International Labour Office, 1983., p. 1090]**PEER REVIEWED** 

 INT FOR SULFURIC ACID, ELEMENTAL SULFUR, SODIUM SULFIDE, OTHER INORGANIC 

 SULFIDES, ADDITIVES IN EXTREME PRESSURE LUBRICANTS & CUTTING OILS 

 & INT FOR ORGANIC SULFUR COMPD **PEER REVIEWED** 

MANUFACTURERS: 

 Elf Atochem North America, Inc., Hq, 2000 Market Street, 21st Floor, 

 Philadelphia, PA 19103-3222, (215) 419-7000; Organic Chemicals Division; 

 Production site: 2231 Haden Road, Houston, TX 77015, (713) 455-1211. [SRI. 

 1997 Directory of Chemical Producers -United States of America. Menlo 

 Park, CA: SRI International 1997., p. 677]**PEER REVIEWED** 

 Montana Sulphur and Chemical Co., P.O. Box 31118, Billings, MT 59107, 

 (406) 252-9324. [SRI. 1997 Directory of Chemical Producers -United States 

 of America. Menlo Park, CA: SRI International 1997., p. 677]**PEER 

 REVIEWED** 

 Morton International, Inc., Hq, 100 N. Riverside Plaza, Randolph Street 

 and the River, Chicago, IL 60606-1598, (312) 807-2000; Adhesives and 

 Chemical Specialties; Production site: 5724 Elder Ferry Road, P.O. Box 

 666, Moss Point, MS 39563. [SRI. 1997 Directory of Chemical Producers 

 -United States of America. Menlo Park, CA: SRI International 1997., p. 

 677]**PEER REVIEWED** 

METHODS OF MANUFACTURING: 

 PRODUCED BY REACTING DIL SULFURIC ACID WITH IRON SULFIDE, BY HEATING 

 HYDROGEN & SULFUR IN VAPOR PHASE, BY HEATING SULFUR WITH PARAFFIN. 

 [The Merck Index. 10th ed. Rahway, New Jersey: Merck Co., Inc., 1983., p. 

 697]**PEER REVIEWED** 

Page 33 of 39

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 Derivation: 1) By the action of dilute sulfuric acid on a sulfide, usually 

 iron sulfide; 2) by direct union of hydrogen and sulfur vapor at a 

 definite temperature and pressure; 3) as a by-product of petroleum 

 refining. [Lewis, R.J., Sr (Ed.). Hawley's Condensed Chemical Dictionary. 

 12th ed. New York, NY: Van Nostrand Rheinhold Co., 1993, p. 617]**PEER 

 REVIEWED** 

 Natural gas/synthesis gas/refinery gas/coke oven gas (solvent extraction); 

 hydrogen + sulfur (reaction); natural gas (Lacq distillation process); 

 natural gas + sulfur (reaction; by-product of carbon disulfide 

 production); metallurgic coke + sulfur (reaction; coproduced with carbon 

 disulfide). [Ashford, R.D. Ashford's Dictionary of Industrial Chemicals. 

 London, England: Wavelength Publications Ltd., 1994., p. 479]**PEER 

 REVIEWED** 

FORMULATIONS/PREPARATIONS: 

 Grades: Technical, 98.5%; purified, 99.5% min; CP [Lewis, R.J., Sr (Ed.). 

 Hawley's Condensed Chemical Dictionary. 12th ed. New York, NY: Van 

 Nostrand Rheinhold Co., 1993, p. 617]**PEER REVIEWED** 

CONSUMPTION PATTERNS: 

 8.85X10+11 G AS AN INT FOR SULFURIC ACID (1966) **PEER REVIEWED** 

LABORATORY METHODS: 

ANALYTIC LABORATORY METHODS: 

 THE TRACOR MODEL 700A HALL ELECTROLYTIC CONDUCTIVITY DETECTOR (HECD) WAS 

 EVALUATED FOR ITS USE AS A SULFUR-SELECTIVE DETECTOR (FOR NATURAL GAS OR 

 PESTICIDE ANALYSIS). THE OVERALL MINIMUM SELECTIVITY FOUND WAS 5.5X10+3. 

 THE RESPONSE WAS LINEAR FOR 2-4 ORDERS OF MAGNITUDE AND THE DYNAMIC RANGE 

 WAS 6 ORDERS OF MAGNITUDE. THE SENSITIVITY RANGED FROM 0.21-1.3 PG 

 SULFUR/S FOR DIFFERENT COMPOUNDS ON DIFFERENT DAYS. [GLUCK S; J CHROMATOGR 

 SCI 20 (3): 103-8 (1982)]**PEER REVIEWED** 

 NIOSH S296: DETECTED IN AIR BY GAS CHROMATOGRAPHY EQUIPPED WITH FLAME 

 PHOTOMETRIC DETECTOR IN SULFUR MODE; RANGE: 15-60 MG/CU M; PRECISION: 

 0.069. [U.S. Department of Health, Education Welfare, Public Health 

 Service. Center for Disease Control, National Institute for Occupational 

 Safety Health. NIOSH Manual of Analytical Methods. 2nd ed. Volumes 1-7. 

 Washington, DC: U.S. Government Printing Office, 1977-present., p. V6 

 S296]**PEER REVIEWED** 

 DETECTED IN AIR BY SPECTROPHOTOMETRY AT 670 NM; SAMPLE PREPARATION: 

 ABSORPTION & REACTION WITH METHYLENE BLUE. RANGE 8.5 TO 63 MG/CU M; 

 PRECISION: 0.121. [U.S. Department of Health, Education Welfare, Public 

 Health Service. Center for Disease Control, National Institute for 

 Occupational Safety Health. NIOSH Manual of Analytical Methods. 2nd ed. 

 Volumes 1-7. Washington, DC: U.S. Government Printing Office, 

 1977-present., p. V2 S4]**PEER REVIEWED** 

 PASSIVE COLORIMETRIC DOSIMETER TUBES FOR SUBSTANCES INCLUDING HYDROGEN 

 SULFIDE. [MCCONNAUGHEY PW ET AL; ASTM SPEC TECH PUBL 786 (TOXIC MATER 

 ATMOS) 113 (1982)]**PEER REVIEWED** 

 Qualitative hydrogen sulfide detection has been based on the blackening of 

 coins, keys, lead based paint, and paper moistened with lead acetate 

 solution. [NIOSH: Occupational Exposure to Hydrogen Sulfide; p.68 (1977) 

Page 34 of 39

file://G:\ASB Chemical Assessments\Hydrogen Sulphide\References\HSDB 2007.htm 9/25/2008
 DHEW (NIOSH) Publication # 77-158]**PEER REVIEWED** 

 EPA Method 9030: Iodometric Method. The method is used to measure the 

 concentration of total and dissolved sulfides in drinking, surface, and 

 saline waters. The method does not measure acid-insoluble sulfides. Excess 

 iodine is added to a sample which has been treated with zinc acetate to 

 produce zinc sulfide. The excess iodine is back-titrated with sodium 

 thiosulfate or phenylarsine oxide. The precision of the end point varies 

 with the sample. In clean waters, it should be determined within 1 drop, 

 which is equivalent to 0.1 mg/l in a 200 ml sample. /Total sulfide/ 

 [USEPA/Office of Solid Waste (OSW); Test Methods for Evaluating Solid 

 Waste, Physical/Chemical Methods SW846 Methods (1986)]**PEER REVIEWED** 

 Method 427C: Methylene Blue Method. The procedure is applicable at sulfide 

 concn up to 20 mg/l. It is based on the reaction of sulfide, ferric 

 chloride, and dimethyl-p-phenylenediamine to produce methylene blue. 

 Ammonium phosphate is added after color development to remove ferric 

 chlloride color. The accuracy is about + or - 10%. The standard deviation 

 has not been determined. /Total sulfide/ [Franson MA (Ed); Standard 

 Methods for the Examination of Water and Wastewater p.475-6 (1985)]**PEER 

 REVIEWED** 

 OAQPS Method 15. Determination of Hydrogen Sulfide, Carbonyl Sulfide and 

 Carbon Disulfide Emissions from Stationary Sources, GCFPD, emissions from 

 tail gas control units or sulfur recovery plants. [USEPA; EMMI. EPA's 

 Environmental Monitoring Methods Index. Version 1.1. PC# 4082. Rockville, 

 MD: Government Institutes (1997)]**PEER REVIEWED** 

SAMPLING PROCEDURES: 

 NIOSH S296: Analyte: Sulfide; Matrix: Air; Procedure: Adsorption on 

 molecular sieve, thermal desorption GC-FPD. [U.S. Department of Health, 

 Education Welfare, Public Health Service. Center for Disease Control, 

 National Institute for Occupational Safety Health. NIOSH Manual of 

 Analytical Methods. 2nd ed. Volumes 1-7. Washington, DC: U.S. Government 

 Printing Office, 1977-present., p. V6 S296]**PEER REVIEWED** 

 ANALYTE: HYDROGEN SULFIDE; MATRIX: AIR; PROCEDURE: ABSORPTION-METHYLENE 

 BLUE SPECTROPHOTOMETRIC; /KEEP OUT OF LIGHT/. [U.S. Department of Health, 

 Education Welfare, Public Health Service. Center for Disease Control, 

 National Institute for Occupational Safety Health. NIOSH Manual of 

 Analytical Methods. 2nd ed. Volumes 1-7. Washington, DC: U.S. Government 

 Printing Office, 1977-present., p. V2 S4]**PEER REVIEWED** 

SPECIAL REFERENCES: 

SPECIAL REPORTS: 

 WHO; Environ Health Criteria: Hydrogen Sulfide (1981) 

 USEPA; Health and Environmental Effects Profile for Hydrogen Sulfide 

 (1980) ECAO-CIN-118 

 NIOSH; Occupational Exposure to Hydrogen Sulfide (1977) DHEW (NIOSH) 

 Publication #77-158 

 Environment Canada; Tech Info for Problem Spills: Hydrogen Sulphide 

 (Draft) (1981) 

 USEPA; Health and Environmental Effects Profile for Hydrogen Sulfide 

Page 35 of 39

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 (1986) ECAO-CIN-026A 

 Nat'l Research Council Canada; Hydrogen Sulfide in the Atmospheric 

 Environment (1981) NRCC No. 18467 

 Guidotti TL; Occupat Med 46 (5): 367-71 (1996). The toxicological 

 properties of hydrogen sulfide are reviewed. 

SYNONYMS AND IDENTIFIERS: 

SYNONYMS: 

 Acide sulphhydrique [Nat'l Research Council Canada; Title p.1 (1981) NRCC 

 No. 18467]**PEER REVIEWED** 

 ACIDE SULFHYDRIQUE (FRENCH) [U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 

 Public Health Service, Center for Disease Control, National Institute for 

 Occupational Safety Health. Registry of Toxic Effects of Chemical 

 Substances (RTECS). National Library of Medicine's current MEDLARS file., 

 p. 83/8201]**PEER REVIEWED** 

 DIHYDROGEN MONOSULFIDE **PEER REVIEWED** 

 DIHYDROGEN SULFIDE **PEER REVIEWED** 

 Hydrogene sulphure [Nat'l Research Council Canada; Title p.1 (1981) NRCC 

 No. 18467]**PEER REVIEWED** 

 HYDROGEN SULFURE (FRENCH) [U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 

 Public Health Service, Center for Disease Control, National Institute for 

 Occupational Safety Health. Registry of Toxic Effects of Chemical 

 Substances (RTECS). National Library of Medicine's current MEDLARS file., 

 p. 83/8201]**PEER REVIEWED** 

 HYDROGEN SULPHIDE **PEER REVIEWED** 

 HYDROSULFURIC ACID **PEER REVIEWED** 

 IDROGENO SOLFORATO (ITALIAN) [U.S. Department of Health and Human 

 Services, Public Health Service, Center for Disease Control, National 

 Institute for Occupational Safety Health. Registry of Toxic Effects of 

 Chemical Substances (RTECS). National Library of Medicine's current 

 MEDLARS file., p. 83/8201]**PEER REVIEWED** 

 SCHWEFELWASSERSTOFF (GERMAN) [U.S. Department of Health and Human 

 Services, Public Health Service, Center for Disease Control, National 

 Institute for Occupational Safety Health. Registry of Toxic Effects of 

 Chemical Substances (RTECS). National Library of Medicine's current 

 MEDLARS file., p. 83/8201]**PEER REVIEWED** 

 SEWER GAS [Doull, J., C.D. Klaassen, and M. D. Amdur (eds.). Casarett and 

 Doull's Toxicology. 2nd ed. New York: Macmillan Publishing Co., 1980., p. 

 330]**PEER REVIEWED** 

 SIARKOWODOR (POLISH) [U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Public 

 Health Service, Center for Disease Control, National Institute for 

 Occupational Safety Health. Registry of Toxic Effects of Chemical 

 Substances (RTECS). National Library of Medicine's current MEDLARS file., 

 p. 83/8201]**PEER REVIEWED** 

Page 36 of 39

file://G:\ASB Chemical Assessments\Hydrogen Sulphide\References\HSDB 2007.htm 9/25/2008
 STINK DAMP [Sax, N.I. Dangerous Properties of Industrial Materials. 6th 

 ed. New York, NY: Van Nostrand Reinhold, 1984., p. 1552]**PEER REVIEWED** 

 SULFURETED HYDROGEN **PEER REVIEWED** 

 SULFUR HYDRIDE [Sax, N.I. Dangerous Properties of Industrial Materials. 

 6th ed. New York, NY: Van Nostrand Reinhold, 1984., p. 1552]**PEER 

 REVIEWED** 

 ZWAVELWATERSTOF (DUTCH) [U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 

 Public Health Service, Center for Disease Control, National Institute for 

 Occupational Safety Health. Registry of Toxic Effects of Chemical 

 Substances (RTECS). National Library of Medicine's current MEDLARS file., 

 p. 83/8201]**PEER REVIEWED** 

FORMULATIONS/PREPARATIONS: 

 Grades: Technical, 98.5%; purified, 99.5% min; CP [Lewis, R.J., Sr (Ed.). 

 Hawley's Condensed Chemical Dictionary. 12th ed. New York, NY: Van 

 Nostrand Rheinhold Co., 1993, p. 617]**PEER REVIEWED** 

SHIPPING NAME/ NUMBER DOT/UN/NA/IMO: 

 UN 1053; Hydrogen sulfide 

 IMO 2.3; Hydrogen sulfide 

STANDARD TRANSPORTATION NUMBER: 

 49 054 10; Hydrogen sulfide 

EPA HAZARDOUS WASTE NUMBER: 

 U135; A toxic waste when a discarded commercial chemical product or 

 manufacturing chemical intermediate or an off specification commercial 

 chemical product or manufacturing chemical intermediate. 

ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION: 

HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCES DATABANK NUMBER: 576 

LAST REVISION DATE: 20050624 

LAST REVIEW DATE: Reviewed by SRP on 5/7/1998 

UPDATE HISTORY: 

 Complete Update on 2005-06-24, 1 fields added/edited/deleted 

 Field Update on 2005-01-29, 2 fields added/edited/deleted 

 Complete Update on 02/14/2003, 1 field added/edited/deleted. 

 Complete Update on 01/24/2003, 2 fields added/edited/deleted. 

 Field Update on 11/08/2002, 1 field added/edited/deleted. 

 Complete Update on 07/22/2002, 1 field added/edited/deleted. 

 Complete Update on 01/18/2002, 7 fields added/edited/deleted. 

 Complete Update on 08/09/2001, 1 field added/edited/deleted. 

Page 37 of 39

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 Complete Update on 02/08/2000, 1 field added/edited/deleted. 

 Complete Update on 02/02/2000, 1 field added/edited/deleted. 

 Complete Update on 11/18/1999, 1 field added/edited/deleted. 

 Complete Update on 09/27/1999, 1 field added/edited/deleted. 

 Complete Update on 09/21/1999, 1 field added/edited/deleted. 

 Complete Update on 08/26/1999, 1 field added/edited/deleted. 

 Complete Update on 07/27/1999, 5 fields added/edited/deleted. 

 Complete Update on 05/04/1999, 1 field added/edited/deleted. 

 Complete Update on 03/01/1999, 1 field added/edited/deleted. 

 Complete Update on 01/27/1999, 1 field added/edited/deleted. 

 Complete Update on 11/12/1998, 3 fields added/edited/deleted. 

 Field Update on 10/29/1998, 1 field added/edited/deleted. 

 Complete Update on 10/07/1998, 1 field added/edited/deleted. 

 Complete Update on 08/04/1998, 60 fields added/edited/deleted. 

 Field Update on 02/25/1998, 1 field added/edited/deleted. 

 Complete Update on 10/17/1997, 1 field added/edited/deleted. 

 Complete Update on 06/05/1997, 2 fields added/edited/deleted. 

 Complete Update on 05/08/1997, 1 field added/edited/deleted. 

 Complete Update on 04/01/1997, 2 fields added/edited/deleted. 

 Complete Update on 02/26/1997, 1 field added/edited/deleted. 

 Complete Update on 01/24/1997, 1 field added/edited/deleted. 

 Complete Update on 05/17/1996, 1 field added/edited/deleted. 

 Complete Update on 03/01/1996, 7 fields added/edited/deleted. 

 Complete Update on 01/19/1996, 1 field added/edited/deleted. 

 Complete Update on 01/20/1995, 1 field added/edited/deleted. 

 Complete Update on 12/21/1994, 1 field added/edited/deleted. 

 Complete Update on 08/09/1994, 1 field added/edited/deleted. 

 Complete Update on 05/05/1994, 1 field added/edited/deleted. 

 Complete Update on 03/25/1994, 1 field added/edited/deleted. 

 Complete Update on 08/07/1993, 1 field added/edited/deleted. 

Page 38 of 39

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 Field update on 12/13/1992, 1 field added/edited/deleted. 

 Complete Update on 04/27/1992, 1 field added/edited/deleted. 

 Complete Update on 01/23/1992, 1 field added/edited/deleted. 

 Field update on 11/09/1990, 1 field added/edited/deleted. 

 Complete Update on 09/13/1990, 83 fields added/edited/deleted. 

 Field Update on 01/15/1990, 1 field added/edited/deleted. 

 Complete Update on 01/11/1990, 81 fields added/edited/deleted. 

 Field Update on 05/05/1989, 1 field added/edited/deleted. 

 Complete Update on 12/09/1988, 2 fields added/edited/deleted. 

 Complete Update on 07/12/1988, 2 fields added/edited/deleted. 

 Complete Update on 02/26/1988, 9 fields added/edited/deleted. 

Complete Update on 06/04/1985 

Created 19830301 by GCF 

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