Hydrogen Sulfide (H2S) Awareness

Hydrogen Sulfide (H2S) Awareness

Nature of Hydrogen sulfide

• ·       colorless
• ·       flammable,
• ·       extremely hazardous gas
• ·       Has “rotten egg” smell.
• ·       occurs naturally in natural gas /crude petroleum
• ·       can also be  produced through the breakdown of organic matter, human/animal wastes
• ·        It is heavier than air
• ·       Can be collect in low-lying, enclosed, poor ventilated areas like basements, telephone/electrical vaults,  manholes, sewer lines and underground.

DETECTION BY SMELL

·       It can be smelled in continuous low-level exposure and in case of higher concentrations, one may lose the capability of smelling if the gas is still present.  i.e. (smelling the gas might lose immediately).

·       Never depend on your sense of smell to show the presence of H2S or warning of hazardous concentrations.

HEALTH EFFECTS

There may be many health risks which varies upon the time and what level you are exposed to this gas. The major risk of exposing H2S is Asthmatics.

·       Low concentrations – eyes, nose, throat irritation or small effects in the respiratory system

·       Moderate concentrations –severe eye/ respiratory effects, headache, vomiting,  dizziness, nausea, coughing, the problem in respiratory organs

·       High concentrations – shock, struggle in  breathing, coma, death (rapid effects within a few minutes)  

BEFORE ENTERING AREAS WITH POSSIBLE HYDROGEN SULFIDE

·       The air should be tested for the occurrence of / concentration of H2S well experienced and qualified person by using appropriate equipment. The qualified person identifies for an explosion or fire precautions are needed or not.

·       in case of gas present in room, the room should be ventilated properly.

·       If the gas cannot be evicted, better to use communication equipment / respiratory protection equipment /PPE – (personal protective equipment).

·       space with high concentration - < 100 ppm is very dangerous to life and health and required of self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA)

Working with Hydrogen Sulfide:

Many countries have set a limit to govern the maximum level of allowable exposure to hydrogen sulfide in the work area. Many countries have set the limit of 10ppm exposure. As the smell of H2S is identified easily, it's olfactory fatigue impacts that one can't simply depend on the nose as a warning device. The effective way to measure the exposure level if measuring the amount in the air. Space indulged in H2S should be equipped with the continuously monitored system.

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