Exposure to Hydrogen Sulfide
- By Site Admin
- •
- 09 Sep, 2017
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Human Health Effects from Exposure to Low-Level Concentrations of Hydrogen Sulfide
Concentration Symptoms
0-10 ppm Irritation of eyes, nose, and throat.
2 ppm Bronchial constriction in asthmatic individuals, spontaneous abortion
5-9.3 ppm Increased blood lactate concentration, decreased skeletal muscle citrate synthase activity
10-50 ppm Headache, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, coughing, difficulty breathing
150-250 ppm Olfactory paralysis
50-200 ppm Severe respiratory tract irritation, eye irritation/acute conjunctivitis, shock, convulsions, coma and death in severe cases
Exposure Limits
Regarding community standards, the risk assessment process of EPA and the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) are the most relevant in making recommendations for limits to community exposure. EPA estimates levels safe for a lifetime exposure at 0.7 ppb, and ATSDR lists levels for acute at 70 ppb, and 30 ppb for chronic levels. EPA health scientists unanimously recommend a weighted average of no more than 15 ppb at the residence or 70 ppb at the property line. EPA set the safe exposure level at 0.00014 ppm to protect sensitive people such as children and the elderly.
Health Effects
Considerable information is available on the human health effects from exposure to high levels of hydrogen sulfide. Death is often reported in accidental high-dose exposures; however, little information is available regarding the health effects from low-level exposures. The small body of available information varies widely. Relevant findings from a wide range of studies were reviewed and are provided.
In 2003, EPA's Integrated Risk Management System published information suggesting children and neonatal animals could be selectively susceptible to neurological effects from H2S concentrations > 0.6 mg/m3.
Bhambhani and Singh (1985) reported that exposure of 42 individuals to 2.5 to 5 ppm H2S caused coughing and throat irritation after 15 minutes. In 1991, the same researchers found that healthy adult male subjects exposed to 5 ppm H2S under moderate exercise exhibited impaired lactate and oxygen uptake in the blood. The authors believe healthy adults can safely perform moderate work in environments containing 5 ppm H2S. They also conclude that inhalation of 10 ppm H2S through the mouth at elevated metabolic and ventilation rates does not significantly alter pulmonary function in healthy people.
Kilburn and Warshaw (1995) concluded neurophysiologic abnormalities were associated with average H2S concentration levels of 10 ppb with peaks of 100 ppb in a neighborhood of exposed residents.
The Michigan Environmental Science Board (2000) investigated the human health effects of low-level hydrogen sulfide. The no observable adverse effect level (NOAEL) in ambient air is between 2 and 10 ppm. The lower value is from studies showing no increase in blood lactate in exercising adults. An exposure-related effect was observed after 5 ppm H2S for 20 minutes. It represents a change that can result from inhibition of an enzyme (cytochrome oxidase) required for cellular respiration. Inhibition of this enzyme is responsible for the acute toxic effect of H2S. The higher value, 10 ppm, was the NOAEL found in a 70-day exposure study using laboratory rats. A concentration of 30 ppm of the gas produced evidence of nasal lesions affecting olfactory nerve cells.
Legator and Singleton (1997) reported that permanent central nervous system damage can occur at concentrations common at industrial facilities, asphalt sites, and livestock operations.
The North Carolina Scientific Advisory Board (2001) reported symptoms such as headache, nausea, and eye and throat irritation were found in communities with ambient levels as low as 7 to 10 ppb.
Dr. Neil Carman, Clean Air Director for the Lone Star Chapter of the Sierra Club, published a study that concluded growing children are more vulnerable because they breathe more rapidly, taking in significantly more pollution per pound of body weight than adults.
The World Health Organization (WHO 2003) stated that all exposures should be avoided due to serious effects of exposures to high concentrations for short durations. It also affirmed there is no evidence to link H2S exposure to cancer in humans.
Conclusions
When analyzing the results of these studies, it
is apparent that the low-level exposure toxicity from hydrogen sulfide gas is
still unclear, with some studies showing no effect at 2 ppm and others showing
toxic effects from concentrations several orders of magnitude lower. However,
much of the data, as well as the recommendations from EPA, ATSDR, and WHO,
suggest toxicity from long-term exposure is likely to exist below the odor
threshold. This suggests that an individual should not be exposed long term to
any level of hydrogen sulfide that one can smell.
Source:
https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2014-11/documents/hydrogen_sulfide_final_volume9_2010.pdf pages 175 - 218