What happens if you inhale h2s

The effects depend on how much hydrogen sulfide you breathe and for how long. Exposure to very high concentrations can quickly lead to death. Odor threshold when rotten egg smell is first noticeable to some. Odor becomes more offensive at ppm. Above 30 ppm, odor described as sweet or sickeningly sweet. Prolonged exposure may cause nausea, tearing of the eyes, headaches or loss of sleep. Airway problems bronchial constriction in some asthma patients.

Slight conjunctivitis "gas eye" and respiratory tract irritation after 1 hour. Hydrogen sulfide burns eyes, causing intense stinging, damage, and even blindness. They should carefully remove their clothes, as the fabric likely absorbed and retained some gas. If clothes stick to the body, they should be carefully and slowly cut away.

Once the victim is removed from the scene, poison control generally recommends nitrate treatment. Recommended treatment typically includes using the hydroxocobalamin or sodium nitrate from a cyanide antidote kit. It is important to note that this treatment is considered advanced first aid and should only be performed by someone trained to manage hydrogen sulfide exposure.

Easy-to-read, question-and-answer fact sheets covering a wide range of workplace health and safety topics, from hazards to diseases to ergonomics to workplace promotion.

Download the free OSH Answers app. Search all fact sheets:. CAS Registry No. Appearance: Colourless gas. Odour: Rotten eggs. Sickening sweet odour at high concentrations. Can dull the sense of smell. Emergency Overview: Colourless gas. Rotten eggs odour. Contains gas under pressure.

May explode if heated. Distant ignition and flashback are possible. Can accumulate in hazardous amounts in low-lying areas especially inside confined spaces. Fatal if inhaled. May cause respiratory irritation. Causes moderate or severe eye irritation. May cause frostbite. Inhalation: Take precautions to prevent a fire e.

Take precautions to ensure your own safety before attempting rescue e. Move victim to fresh air. Keep at rest in a position comfortable for breathing. If breathing is difficult, trained personnel should administer emergency oxygen. DO NOT allow victim to move about unnecessarily. Symptoms of pulmonary edema may be delayed. If breathing has stopped, trained personnel should begin artificial respiration AR. If the heart has stopped, trained personnel should start cardiopulmonary resuscitation CPR or automated external defibrillation AED.

Avoid mouth-to-mouth contact by using mouth guards or shields. Immediately call a Poison Centre or doctor. Treatment is urgently required. Transport to a hospital. NOTE: Victims may pose a threat to responders due to the release of hydrogen sulfide from their clothing, skin, and exhaled air. Skin Contact: Liquefied gas: quickly remove victim from source of contamination. DO NOT attempt to rewarm the affected area on site.

DO NOT rub area or apply direct heat. Pulmonary manifestations include cough, shortness of breath, and bronchial or lung hemorrhage. By mixing toilet cleaner with pesticide, anyone can make a cloud of deadly hydrogen sulfide gas. Effects of exposure to high levels ppm or higher of hydrogen sulfide can be serious and life-threatening. Effects include shock, convulsions, inability to breath, rapid unconsciousness, coma, and death.

Hydrogen sulfide also occurs naturally in sewers, manure pits, well water, oil and gas wells, and volcanoes. Because it is heavier than air, hydrogen sulfide can collect in low-lying and enclosed spaces, such as manholes, sewers, and underground telephone vaults.