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Hydrogen Sulphide Gas

H2S

DEADLY GAS

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NFPA RATING
FLAMMABILITY

4
HEALTH

3
-

REACTIVITY

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Properties:
Colourless Gas
Rotten Egg Odour
Extremely Flammable
Highly Reactive
Highly Toxic
Irritating
Corrosive

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H2S Present In :
Production

and processing of petroleum gas.


Metal Refining
Pulp & Paper production
Sewage and Water treatment
Oil Wells
Refineries
Gas Plants
Gas Oil Separation Plants

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EFFECT OF H2S ON HUMAN BODY
Concentration
PPM

Physical Effect

No significant physical effects; sense of smell remains intact and can detect a rottenegg odor.

10

TLV Eye irritation; 10 ppm is the threshold limit value (TLV ) the greatest
concentration safeto breathe without respiratory protection for a normal 8 hour
workday and 40 hour work week.

15

STEL Short Term Exposure Limit.

100

Eye inflammation; corneal blistering; headache; nausea; cough; sense of smell


becomes ineffectual within 3 to 15 minutes.

300

IDLH Immediate Danger To Life And Health ( Loss of smelling sense, heavy breathing,
dizziness, headache and total collapse within 1-4 hrs.

500

Respiratory disturbances cause breathing difficulties; nervous system impairment can


result in tremors, numbness in extremities, and convulsions; ability to reason is lost.

700

Respiratory Failure; unconsciousness; seizures; loss of bowel and bladder control; fatal
in 30 minutes.

1000

Immediate unconsciousness; fatal in a few breaths.

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ENTRY ROUTES:
Inhalation
Eye
Skin Contact

TARGET ORGANS:
Eye
Respiratory System
Central Nervous System

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HOW DOES H2S AFFECT THE INDIVIDUAL
When a person breathes H2S, it goes directly through the lungs to
the blood stream. To protect itself, the body oxidises (break
down) H2S as rapidly as possible into harmless compounds, e.g.,
Sulphites and Sulphates. But if the individual breathes in so
much H2S that the body cannot oxidise all of it, and H2S builds up
in the blood and poisons the individual. The nerve centres in the
brain which controlsbreathing are paralysed, the lungs stop
functioning and the person becomes unconscious. Consequently
death may occur if not rescued in time and given artificial
resuscitation. H2S may also pass through any ear drum
perforations to the lungs and to the blood.

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H2S HAZARDS
H2S IS TOXIC
Irritant to exposed tissues of the:
Eyes
Nose
Throat
Lungs
When absorbed, it acts as an internal poison.
Impair the CNS.
Paralyse the respiratory system.
300 PPM Considered as IDLH.

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H2S HAZARDS
ODOUR IS NOT A RELIABLE WARNING
Dont be misled by the fact that you can smell low
concentrations of H2S. Your sense of smell is desensitized by
higher, more dangerous concentrations of H2S.

H2S IS COLOURLESS
Therefore, leaks cannot be seen. In windy weather, H2S moves
as an invisible cloud, usually in the direction the wind is
blowing.

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H2S HAZARDS
H2S IS HEAVIER THAN AIR
It tends to settle into low-lying areas, such as trenches, sewers,
and excavations. Although upper levels of the area might be
clear of H2S, it can exist as a deadly gas layer on lower levels.

H2S IS FLAMMABLE AND EXPLOSIVE


Under normal atmospheric conditions, H2S combines with air
to form a mixture that will ignite over a very wide range of its
volume in air (4.3% - 46%). This range is almost seven times
greater than the flammable or explosive range of gasoline.

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H2S HAZARDS
BURNING H2S EMITS SULPHUR DIOXIDE
( SO2)
SO2 can severely irritate exposed tissues of the eyes, nose,
throat, and respiratory system.

H2S IS CORROSIVE
When H2S combines with moisture in the air, it forms a
corrosive acid that degrades the integrity of metal equipment.
Dangerous leaks can result when this acid corrodes the metal
of pipes, valves, tanks, and other equipment.

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H2S HAZARDS
H2S FORMS PYROPHORIC MATERIALS
When H2S reacts with steel (found in pipes and other
equipment), a by-product is iron sulfide scale. Iron Sulfide scale
is a pyrophoric material that has the potential to spontaneously
ignite when its dry and exposed to air.

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H2S HAZARD CONTROL
Engineering measures
Detection
Respiratory Protection
Training.

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H2S HAZARD CONTROL
ENGINEERING MEASURES
Safe design
Regular Maintenance
Ventilation
Control Of Leaks.

DETECTION
Continuous Gas Monitors
Personal H2S Monitor.

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H2S HAZARD CONTROL
RESPIRATORY PROTECTION
SCBA
Air Line
Do not use air purifying or cartridge type
breathing apparatus.

STAY ALERT
Always follow your organizations safety
procedures, and be ready to respond in the event
of an emergency.
When you work around H2S, it is critical that you
think before you act. Theres simply no room for
error.

ALWAYS REMEMBER THAT:

H2S IS A DEADLY GAS.

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