Chapter 1

Hydrogen Sulfide Introduction

It is our responsibility to continue to train others. Hydrogen-sulfide (H 2S)

is a gas encountered all over the world.

Due to the serious nature of this gas, coupled with fear and sometimes
disrespect. We will attempt to get a clearer understanding.

This information about H2S is important because this substance may

harm you. The effects of exposure to any hazardous substance depend
on the dose, the duration, how you are exposed ,personal traits and
habits, and whether other chemicals are present.

Hydrogen sulfide occurs naturally and is also produced by human

activities. Just a few breaths of air containing high levels of hydrogen
sulfide gas can cause death. Lower, longer-term exposure can cause
eye irritation, headache, and fatigue. This substance has been found in
at least 24 of the 1,467 National Priorities List sites identified by the
Environmental Protection Agency ( EPA).

What is Hydrogen Sulfide ?

Hydrogen Sulfide occurs naturally in crude petroleum, natural gas,

volcanic gases, and hot springs. It can also result from bacterial
breakdown of organic matter. It is also produced by human and animal
wastes.

Hydrogen sulfide can also result from industrial activities ,such as food
processing, coke ovens, kraft paper mills, tanneries, and petroleum
refineries.

GTSC Egypt Ch. I - 1 H2S

Hydrogen sulfide is a colorless, flammable gas under normal conditions.
It is commonly known as hydrosulfuric acid, stink damp, and sewer gas.
It smells like rotten eggs. People can smell it at low levels.

What happens to hydrogen sulfide when it enters the

environment ?

 Hydrogen sulfide is released primarily as a gas and will spread in

the air.
 When released as a gas, it will form sulfur dioxide and sulfurous
acid in the atmosphere.
 Sulfur dioxide can be oxidized further to SO 3 and is a major
component in acid rain.
 Hydrogen sulfide remains in the atmosphere for about 18 hours.
 In some instances, it may be released as a liquid waste from an
industrial facility.

How Might I be Exposed to Hydrogen Sulfide ?

 You can be exposed by crude petroleum, natural gas, volcanic

gases, and hot springs.
 You can be exposed at work if you work in the petroleum refining,
petrochemical, or natural gas industry, food processing,
wastewater treatment, coke oven plants, tanneries, or pulp and
paper mills.
 A small amount of hydrogen sulfide is produced by bacteria in your
mouth and gastrointestinal tract and by enzymes in your brain and
muscles.

GTSC Egypt Ch. I - 2 H2S

How can Hydrogen Sulfide Affect my Health ?

Hydrogen Sulfide is considered a brod-spectrum poison, meaning it can

poison several different systems in the body.

Breathing very high levels of hydrogen sulfide can cause death within
just a few breaths. There could be loss of consciousness after one or
more breaths.

Hydrogen Sulfide is an enzyme inhibitor which temporarily stops the

transport of Oxygen between body tissues. H2S is similar to and is as
toxic as Hydrogen Cyanide. As these protein enzymes are turned over in
your body there is unlikely to be any long term effects due to low level
exposures.

Exposure to lower concentrations can result in eye irritation, a sore throat

and cough, shortness of breath ,and fluid in the lungs. These symptoms
usually go away in a few weeks. Long-term, low-level exposure may
result in fatigue, loss of appetite, headaches, irritability, poor memory,
and dizziness.

Animal studies showed that pigs that ate food containing hydrogen
sulfide had diarrhea after a few days and weight loss after about 105
days.

How Likely is Hydrogen Sulfide to Cause Cancer ?

Hydrogen sulfide has not been shown to cause cancer in humans. Its
ability to cause cancer in animals has not been studied fully. The
Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), the International
Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), and the EPA have not classified
hydrogen sulfide for carcinogenicity.

GTSC Egypt Ch. I - 3 H2S

Uses
Hydrogen sulfide has a variety of industrial uses. Its major use is in the
production of elemental sulfur and sulfuric acid. Hydrogen sulfide is also
used in the manufacture of sodium sulfide and thiophenes. It is used in
metallurgy and in the production of heavy water for the nuclear industry.
In the past, hydrogen sulfide was used as an agricultural disinfectant.

Production
Hydrogen sulfide may be produced by a variety of different commercial
methods including reacting dilute sulfuric acid with iron sulfide, heating
hydrogen and sulfur into their vapor phases, and heating sulfur with
paraffin. The principal source of hydrogen sulfide is recovery as a by-
product in the purification of natural and refinery gases. Another method
of hydrogen sulfide recovery is hydrodesulfurization in which gas-oil and
coke distillate fractions with high sulfur contents are passed through a
fixed-bed catalyst in the presence of hydrogen. This is done by
absorbing the gas with monoethanolamine or diethanolamine MEA &
DEA.

GTSC Egypt Ch. I - 4 H2S

 Chemical Identity of Hydrogen Sulfide

Characteristic Information
 Chemical name Hydrogen Sulfide

 Synonym(s) Hydrosulfuric acid ,stink damp,

sulfur hydride, sulfurated
hydrogen, dihydrogen
monosulfide, dihydrogen sulfide,
sewer gas
 Chemical Formula H2S

 Chemical Structure H–S–H

 EPA Hazardous waste U 135

 OHM/TADS 7216752

 DOT/UN/AN/IMCO UN1053, IMO2.1

Shipping
 HSDB 56

 NCI No data

CAS – Chemical Abstracts Services, DOT/UN/NA/IMCO = Department of

Transportation/United Natins/North America/ International Maritime
Dangerous Goods Code, EPA = Environmental Protection Agency,
HSDB = Hazardous Substances Data Bank, NCI = National Cancer
Institute, NIOSH = National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health,
OHM/TADS = Oil and Hazardous Materials/Technical Assistance Data
System, RTECS = Registry of Toxic Effects of Chemical Substances.

GTSC Egypt Ch. I - 5 H2S

 Physical Chemical Properties of Hydrogen Sulfide

Properly Information
 Molecular weight 34.08

 Color Colorless

 Physical state Gas

 Freezing Point -85.49ºC

 Boiling Point
-60.33ºC

 Specific Gravity 1.192

 Density at 0ºC 760 mmHg 1.5392 g/L

 Odor Characteristic of rotten eggs

 Odor threshold :
- Water 0.000029 ppm
- Air 0.5 ppb

 Solubility :
- Water at 20 ºC One gram in 242 mL
- Organic solvent (s) Alcohol, ether, glycerol, gasoline, kerosene,
crude oil, carbon disulfide

 Vapor pressure at 21.9ºC

1929 KPa; 14.469 mmHg

H2S → H+ + HS-1 (P)

 Acid dissociation
HS-1 → H+ + S-2 (2)

 Autoignition temperature
500ºF (260ºC)

 Flammability limits
Upper, 46%; lower, 4,3% ( by volume at
room temperature )

 Conversation factors
1 ppm = 1,40 mg/m3

 Explosive limits
Upper, 46%; lower 4.3% ( by volume in air )
– travel with air and flash back

GTSC Egypt Ch. I - 6 H2S