HYDROGEN SULFIDE (H2S) AWARENESS TRAINING

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HYDROGEN SULFIDE(H2S) AWARENESS TRAINING
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HYDROGEN SULFIDE AWARENESS(H2S)

• Hydrogen sulfide presents a potential hazard to
  workers at many work sites.
• occurs as an unwanted by-product
• many different industries or occupations.
• ensure protection against exposure
• be aware of its properties,
• what to do in emergency situations.

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HYDROGEN SULFIDE AWARENESS(H2S)

• Hydrogen sulfide is also produced by the
  putrefication of organic matter.
• It may accumulate in sewers, sewage treatment
  plants.

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PHYSICAL AND CHEMICAL CHARACTERISTICS

• highly toxic, poisonous gas
• deadly to humans
• has no visible color.
• It is soluble in hydrocarbons and water at a
  ratio of 4 1,
• highly corrosive to certain metals due to either
  hydrogen embrittlement or sulfide stress
  cracking.

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PHYSICAL AND CHEMICAL CHARACTERISTICS

• flammable when mixed with air at a temperature of
  500 degrees F,
• lower flammability limit is 4.3 while the upper
  flammability limit is 46 by volume in air.
• When ignited, H2S produces Sulfur Dioxide (SO2)
  which is extremely hazardous and may leave
  victims disabled with pneumonia or respiratory
  damage.

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PHYSICAL AND CHEMICAL CHARACTERISTICS

• is 20 heavier than air, and can be dispersed
  great distances with only a slight breeze
• unidentified locations about refineries or
  industrial settings could indicate detectable
  levels of H2S
• may include low lying areas such as utility
  vaults, pits, ditches, trenches, confined spaces,
  inside dikes, or poorly ventilated areas.

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PERSONAL DETECTION

• H2S also known as Rotten-Egg Gas
• or Sour Crude
• can be easily detected due to a strong odor of
  rotten eggs, or
• to others, a sweet, offensive, sickening odor

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PERSONAL DETECTION

• Although it can be detected at a low
  concentration of 1 ppm, this early warning
  property should not be depended upon as an
  accurate indicator of its presence.
• Hydrogen sulfide detection by your nose may not
  occur as a concentration of this gas between 100
  and 150 ppm can deaden your sense of smell.

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HEALTH EFFECTS

• rapidly-acting systemic poison
• causes respiratory paralysis and asphyxia
• can irritate the eyes and respiratory tract at
  low concentrations.
• a concentration greater than 700 ppm, inhalation
  may cause coma and/or death after a single
  breath.

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HEALTH EFFECTS

• Each individual person may be affected
  differently by different concentration levels.
• Some individuals are more sensitive.
• If you should smell the presence of H2S or hear
  warnings from monitor alarms, then immediately
  evacuate this area.

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HEALTH EFFECTS

• Classed as a chemical asphyxiate
• Similar to carbon monoxide and cyanide gases.
• Inhibits cellular respiration and uptake of
  oxygen, causing biochemical suffocation.

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TYPICAL EXPOSURE SYMPTOMS

• 0 - 10 ppm - Irritation of the eyes, nose and
  throat
• 10 - 50 ppm - Headache, Dizziness, Nausea and
  vomiting, Coughing and breathing difficulty
• 50 - 200 ppm - Severe respiratory tract
  irritation, Eye irritation / acute
  conjunctivitis, Shock, Convulsions, Coma, Death
  in severe cases

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TYPICAL EXPOSURE SYMPTOMS

• Prolonged exposures at lower levels can lead to
• bronchitis,
• pneumonia,
• migraine headaches,
• pulmonary edema, and
• loss of motor coordination.

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MONITORING

• Exposure should be minimized by employing
  adequate engineering controls and safe working
  practices.
• Where engineering controls cannot adequately
  control levels of exposure, it may be necessary
  to supplement them with the use of suitable
  personal protective equipment (PPE) such as
  supplied-air respirators.

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MONITORING

• Identification of hydrogen sulfide concentrations
  may require monitoring.
• The exposure limit should be set to alarm at a
  concentration of 10 ppm.

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FIRST AID

• First aid needs will depend on the concentration
  level
• Do not immediately rush to the aid of an affected
  coworker unless properly trained and without
  protecting yourself with proper PPE.

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FIRST AID

• Signs and symptoms of an exposure
• respiratory paralysis by inhalation,
• burning sensation of the eyes due to contact,
• or skin irritation.

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FIRST AID

• Inhalation - remove victim to fresh air
  immediately. If not breathing, administer
  mouth-to-mouth artificial respiration until
  medical assistance arrives
• If breathing is restored but slow and labored,
  administer 100 oxygen by canister/mask as H2S is
  rapidly detoxified by the body.
• Maintain normal body temperature. Transportation
  to medical services should follow immediately.

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FIRST AID

• Eye or skin contact - should be treated by a 15
  minute wash/flush at a safety shower/eye-wash
  station.
• If irritation or discomfort persists,
  transportation to medical services should follow
  immediately.

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REFERENCES

• Regional poison control center 1-800-222-1222

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Public Response Hotline (CDC) 800-CDC-INFO 888-2
32-6348 (TTY) E-mail inquiries
cdcinfo_at_cdc.gov Centers for Disease Control and
PreventioN (CDC), National Institute for
Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), Pocket
Guide to Chemical Hazards