Hydrogen sulfide

NIOSH REL: 10 ppm (15 mg/m³) 10­minute CEILING

Current OSHA PEL: 20 ppm CEILING, 50 ppm 10­minute MAXIMUM PEAK

1989 OSHA PEL: 10 ppm (14 mg/m³) TWA, 15 ppm (21 mg/m³) STEL

1993-1994 ACGIH TLV: 10 ppm (14 mg/m³) TWA, 15 ppm (21 mg/m³) STEL

Description of Substance: Colorless gas with a strong odor of rotten eggs.

LEL:. . 4.0% (10% LEL, 4,000 ppm)

Original (SCP) IDLH: 300 ppm

Basis for original (SCP) IDLH: The chosen IDLH is based on the statements by Patty [1963] that 170 to 300 ppm is the maximum concentration that can be endured for 1 hour without serious consequences; 400 to 700 ppm is dangerous after exposure of 0.5 to 1 hour [Henderson and Haggard 1943]. AIHA [1963] reported that 400 to 700 ppm caused loss of consciousness and possible death in 0.5 to 1 hour [MCA 1950].

Existing short-term exposure guidelines: 1991 American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA) Emergency Response Planning Guidelines (ERPGs):

ERPG­1: 0.1 ppm (60­minute)

ERPG­2: 30 ppm (60­minute)

ERPG­3: 100 ppm (60­minute)

National Research Council [NRC 1985] Emergency Exposure Guidance Levels (EEGLs):

10­minute EEGL: 50 ppm

24­hour EEGL: 10 ppm

ACUTE TOXICITY DATA:

Lethal concentration data:

*Note: Conversion factor (CF) was determined with "n" = 2.2 [ten Berge et al. 1986].

Other human data: It has been reported that 170 to 300 ppm is the maximum concentration that can be endured for 1 hour without serious consequences [Henderson and Haggard 1943] and that olfactory fatigue occurs at 100 ppm [Poda 1966]. It has also been reported that 50 to 100 ppm causes mild conjunctivitis and respiratory irritation after 1 hour; 500 to 700 ppm may be dangerous in 0.5 to 1 hour; 700 to 1,000 ppm results in rapid unconsciousness, cessation of respiration, and death; and 1,000 to 2,000 ppm results in unconsciousness, cessation of respiration, and death in a few minutes [Yant 1930].

REFERENCES:

1. AIHA [1963]. Hydrogen sulfide. In: Hygienic guide series. Am Ind Hyg Assoc J 24:92­94.

2. Back KC, Thomas AA, MacEwen JD [1972]. Reclassification of materials listed as transportation health hazards. Wright­Patterson Air Force Base, OH: 6570th Aerospace Medical Research Laboratory, Report No. TSA­20­72­3, pp. A­220 to A­221.

3. Henderson Y, Haggard HW [1943]. Noxious gases. 2nd ed. New York, NY: Reinhold Publishing Corporation, p. 245.

4. Lefaux R [1968]. Practical toxicology of plastics. Cleveland, OH: Chemical Rubber Co., p. 207.

5. MacEwen JD, Vernot EH [1972]. Toxic Hazards Research Unit annual report: 1972. Wright­Patterson Air Force Base, OH: Air Force Systems Command, Aerospace Medical Division, Aerospace Medical Research Laboratory Report, AMRL­TR­72­62.

6. MCA [1968]. Chemical safety data sheet SD­36: properties and essential information for safe handling and use of hydrogen sulfide. Washington, DC: Manufacturing Chemists Association, pp. 1­13.

7. NRC [1985]. Emergency and continuous exposure guidance levels for selected airborne contaminants. Vol. 4. Washington, DC: National Academy Press, Committee on Toxicology, Board on Toxicology and Environmental Health Hazards, Commission on Life Sciences, National Research Council, pp. 55­68.

8. Patty FA, ed. [1963]. Industrial hygiene and toxicology. 2nd rev. ed. Vol. II. Toxicology. New York, NY: Interscience Publishers, Inc., p. 899.

9. Poda GA [1966]. Hydrogen sulfide can be handled safety. Arch Environ Health 12:795­800.

10. Tab Biol Per [1933]; 3:231 (in German).

11. Tansey MF, Kendall FM, Fantasia J, Landin WE, Oberly R [1981]. Acute and subchronic toxicity studies of rats exposed to vapors of methyl mercaptan and other reduced sulfur compounds. J Toxicol Environ Health 8:71­88.

12. ten Berge WF, Zwart A, Appelman LM [1986]. Concentration-time mortality response relationship of irritant and systematically acting vapours and gases. J Haz Mat 13:301­309.

13. Yant WP [1930]. Hydrogen sulfide in industry: occurrence, effects and treatment. Am J Public Health 20:598­608.