Hydrogen sulfide poisoning
Hydrogen sulfide (hydrogen sulphide, hydrogen disulfide) is the simplest compound of sulfur and hydrogen, H 2 S. It is a colorless gas with a specific smell of rotten eggs; the smell of concentrated hydrogen sulfide is not felt due to damage to the olfactory nerve, followed by loss of smell. Refers to flammable substances, at a concentration in the air from 4 to 45% forms an explosive mixture with oxygen.
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It is contained in small amounts in the body, refers to the so-called signaling gaseous substances, triggering physiological or biochemical changes and participating in their regulation.
Hydrogen sulfide is a by-product in the textile, leather, fur industry, in the manufacture of synthetic rubbers, asphalt, in the oil refining industry (in the extraction and processing of poly-sulfur oil), in gas and coke plants.
Often formed and released during the decomposition of rocks and minerals containing sulfide compounds (pyrite, etc.), in mines and workings during blasting operations.
In everyday life, hydrogen sulfide is found as a product of decay of sulfur-containing organic substances in wastewater.
How does hydrogen sulfide poisoning occur?
With its high volatility, hydrogen sulfide enters the body mainly through the respiratory tract, but it can also be absorbed through intact skin.
Being a highly toxic substance, it has a strong irritating effect on the mucous membranes of the eyes and respiratory tract, causes pathological changes in the central nervous system; like cyanides, it inhibits the functions of oxidative enzymes and provokes a violation of the processes of interstitial respiration.
Hydrogen sulphide poisoning is possible when you are in production facilities where the maximum permissible gas concentration is exceeded (in the air of the working area - 10 mg / m 3). The severity of toxicity caused by the concentration of gas in the air and the exposure time, for example, a lethal concentration of 830 mg / m 3 for 30 minutes, or 1100 mg / m 3 for 5 minutes.
Hydrogen sulfide poisoning is usually acute and occurs when:
- violation of safety at work;
- violation of technological processes;
- emergency emergencies.
Often, workers in industries where hydrogen sulfide is used or released are exposed to regular exposure to small doses of gas, which can lead to chronic occupational hydrogen sulfide intoxication.
Domestic hydrogen sulfide poisoning is unlikely.
Poisoning symptoms
Acute hydrogen sulfide poisoning can vary in severity.
With mild intoxication, the main symptoms are due to the irritating effect of H 2 S: profuse discharge from the nose, lacrimation, conjunctival hyperemia, a feeling of sand in the eyes, burning and soreness in the nasopharynx, hoarseness.
In case of moderate poisoning, signs of the systemic action of the toxin are added to the local symptoms: headache, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, severe weakness, motor discoordination, increased heart rate, hypotension. On external examination, cyanotic staining of the skin is noted.
Severe poisoning is characterized by impaired activity of the cardiovascular (tachycardia, arrhythmia, severe hypotension, threadlike pulse) and respiratory (superficial unproductive breathing, shortness of breath) systems. The neurotoxic effect is manifested by suppression of consciousness or psychomotor agitation, a state of euphoria, often the victim is stunned or inaccessible to contact, coma may develop.
When exposed to extremely high concentrations of hydrogen sulfide (1000 mg / m3 and higher), a fulminant or apoplectic form of poisoning may develop: after several breaths, tonic and clonic convulsions appear, loss of consciousness and coma occur. There is a high probability of death due to paralysis of the respiratory or vasomotor centers.
Chronic hydrogen sulfide intoxication manifests itself in various clinical forms:
- toxic neurasthenia (asthenovegetative syndrome), in which the phenomena of irritable weakness (asthenization, emotional instability) prevail, sweating of the feet and palms, decreased skin sensitivity, vision and hearing, in women, menstrual irregularities may develop;
- encephalomyelopolyneuropathy, manifested by headache, dizziness, optic-vestibular disorders (feeling that the floor is slipping from under your feet, walls tilt, the ceiling falls, etc.) of varying intensity, severe apathy or excessive concern for well-being, tactile, auditory hallucinations may appear;
- a polyneuropathic form, manifested by impaired sensitivity up to complete anesthesia, pain and weakness in the limbs, along the nerve trunks, progressive loss of muscle mass.
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First aid for hydrogen sulfide poisoning
- Evacuate the victim from the place of contamination.
- Provide access to fresh air (open windows, doors, unfasten tight clothing).
- If the victim is unconscious, lay on his side or on his back with his head turned to one side to prevent possible aspiration of vomit.
- Rinse eyes, nose, open skin with 2% soda solution (1 tsp of soda in a 200 ml glass of water) or plenty of running water, rinse your mouth.
- Apply cool eye lotions with 3% boric acid.
- Apply 1-2 drops of petroleum jelly to the eyes.
- Provide an abundant alkaline drink (mineral water, milk).
When is medical attention required?
If there is a suspicion that intoxication is provoked by hydrogen sulfide, it is necessary to seek medical help in 100% of cases.
Treatment is symptomatic: in case of a collaptoid state, anti-shock therapy is performed, in case of convulsive syndrome, sedatives are administered, etc.
The antidote to hydrogen sulfide is methemoglobin, therefore, in case of severe poisoning, the introduction of chromosmon or 1% solution of methylene blue in glucose (10 ml of blue per 20 ml of glucose) is indicated - as a result, methemoglobin is formed, which binds hydrogen sulfide.
Possible consequences
Complications of acute poisoning with hydrogen sulfide can be:
- systematic headaches;
- persistent hyperthermia with chills;
- eczema, contact dermatitis;
- conjunctivitis;
- gastrointestinal diseases (pancreatitis, hepatitis) of toxic genesis;
- bronchitis, bronchopneumonia, pulmonary edema;
- diseases of the thyroid gland;
- renal failure;
- myocardial dystrophy, myocardial infarction;
- encephalopathy (often with intense neurological and intellectual defects).
Prevention
To prevent hydrogen sulfide poisoning, you must:
- comply with safety requirements at the workplace;
- use personal protective equipment when in contact with hydrogen sulfide (goggles, respirator or gas mask, gloves, protective suit);
- regularly undergo preventive medical examinations.
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Olesya Smolnyakova Therapy, clinical pharmacology and pharmacotherapy About the author
Education: higher, 2004 (GOU VPO "Kursk State Medical University"), specialty "General Medicine", qualification "Doctor". 2008-2012 - Postgraduate student of the Department of Clinical Pharmacology, KSMU, Candidate of Medical Sciences (2013, specialty "Pharmacology, Clinical Pharmacology"). 2014-2015 - professional retraining, specialty "Management in education", FSBEI HPE "KSU".
The information is generalized and provided for informational purposes only. At the first sign of illness, see your doctor. Self-medication is hazardous to health!
