Not everyone knows that we encounter hydrogen sulfide quite often. Almost everyone knows about the existence of hydrogen sulfide sources. Water from them, bottled, goes into free sale. Many of us, on our own initiative or as prescribed by doctors, took hydrogen sulfide baths. In large megacities there are industries whose by-product is this substance. Even Muscovites, sometimes, smell it very well. Have you ever wondered whether hydrogen sulfide is dangerous for humans? And if so, in what quantities? Let's try to figure it out.
What is it - hydrogen sulfide
By opening a chemistry textbook, you can find out that hydrogen sulfide is hydrogen sulfide (H 2 S). It is a gas without color, but with a sweet taste and a disgusting smell, reminiscent of rotten eggs. It dissolves extremely poorly in water, but in alcohol it is very good. Heavier than air, but lighter than water. These are his chemical and physical qualities. Is hydrogen sulfide dangerous? Of course. This gas is very toxic, flammable. But all this is only in large quantities. In small doses, this chemical is safely used by doctors. It is necessary for the normal functioning of the heart and blood vessels, without it there is no erection, it is an excellent antispasmodic, it is important for the nervous system and memory. With a hydrogen sulfide deficiency, the risk of developing heart attacks, Alzheimer's and Parkinson’s diseases is greatly increased. It can enter the body not only through the respiratory tract, but also through the pores of the skin, while beneficially affecting it. So hydrogen sulfide baths (for those to whom the doctor prescribed them) are useful and absolutely safe.
Where does hydrogen sulfide come from
In nature, this substance is found in small amounts in natural gas, is a part of associated petroleum gas, and, surprisingly, is present in the intestinal gases of humans and mammals. But in volcanic emissions it is very much. It is formed where proteins containing cysteine or methionine rot. In the cities, it is guilty of its appearance inactive or weak treatment facilities of enterprises using hydrogen sulfide in production, or those where this substance is a by-product. When gas is emitted at such enterprises, unpleasant “aromas” of rotten eggs are in the air in the whole district, and people are indignant. What is dangerous hydrogen sulfide in the air? Is it only that that spoils the mood?
When poisoning occurs
Hydrogen sulfide has one peculiarity: it is possible to smell it with the nose only when in the air it is only up to 0.03 μg / m3. At high concentrations, it seems to shut off our olfactory receptors, and we do not feel an unpleasant smell. So, on the one hand, it’s good that we hear the smell of rotten eggs. And at a concentration of about 1000 mcg / cu. m of air comes almost instant death. Intermediate amounts cause various diseases, for example, at a content of 75 μg / cu. m develop bronchitis (a characteristic cough begins) and keratoconjunctivitis, at 375 mcg / cu. m there is pulmonary edema. That's the danger of hydrogen sulfide in the air. Of course, few of the townspeople, having sensed the next surge with their nose, rush to measure its concentration. You can guess about it for health reasons.
What happens with constant (prolonged) contact with hydrogen sulfide
Of course, the hydrogen sulfide present in the air is unpleasant to everyone. But miners, oil industry workers, metallurgists, workers in chemical and sugar plants, processing plants, factories that produce cellophane and viscose are especially affected by it. What is the danger of hydrogen sulfide in the air for a person in contact with this gas for a long time?
For people working in hazardous industries or living in their immediate vicinity, doctors identify:
- chronic keratoconjunctivitis (an inflamed condition of the cornea of the eyes and conjunctiva);
- problems with the lungs (frequent bronchitis) and with the nose (rhinitis);
- digestive tract disorders;
- Frequent causeless headaches;
- insomnia;
- dizziness and constant breakdown;
- increased sweating;
- hypotension;
- poor appetite;
- skin diseases (eczema, dermatitis).
When taking blood tests, anisocytosis, monocytosis, anemia are detected.
Over time, people develop an addiction to the smell of rotten eggs, but this does not affect the improvement of health.
What are the degrees of poisoning?
Inhaling air containing hydrogen sulfide can cause serious damage. Especially if gas concentrations are high. What is dangerous hydrogen sulfide in the air? To date, several degrees of poisoning have been identified.
1. Lightweight. Symptoms
- burning, pain in the eyes;
- tearing;
- irritation from light sources;
- gagging;
- obsessive cough;
- runny nose.
2. Average. To the above signs are added:
- headache;
- profuse vomiting, nausea;
- dizziness;
- severe weakness or, conversely, agitation;
- coordination of movements is broken.
3. Severe. Symptoms
- cyanotic complexion;
- vomiting
- suffocation;
- heart rhythm disturbance.
Severe poisoning can lead to coma, and in some cases, to death.
Treatment
What is hydrogen sulfide and how it is dangerous is now clear. But what if, after all, a person breathed in fetid gas? With a mild form of poisoning, it is necessary to ensure:
- influx of clean fresh air;
- peace
- analgesics;
- lotions with boric acid;
- drip into the eyes of novocaine with adrenaline;
- vitamins and preparations with iron.
In moderate and severe forms of the patient must be transported to the hospital. Treatment is carried out by intravenous injections with mitylene blue or chromosmon, other drugs. With cyanosis, heart failure, cardiac arrhythmias, injections of caffeine, cordamine, norepinephrine are made. In a coma, resuscitation therapy is performed.
Prevention
When small amounts of hydrogen sulfide are ingested, vital systems react painlessly to it. A significant part of it breaks down into sulfur and sulfates and is subsequently excreted by the kidneys. With expiration, about 7% of the incoming gas leaves. Knowing the danger of hydrogen sulfide in the air, workers should use personal protective equipment (respirators), regularly undergo medical examinations and comply with all safety rules. At such enterprises, there must be a control over the tightness of production processes and compliance with environmental requirements.
Everyone can make measurements of the content of hydrogen sulfide in their apartment. There are special devices for this, for example, the small and easy-to-use ANKAT-7631. You can configure it to issue an audio signal when exceeding the allowable (set) gas values. You can also use the services of special laboratories.
Is hydrogen sulfide dangerous in the Black Sea
Yes, it is dangerous if you swim at a depth of 150 meters or more, where there is nothing alive, except bacteria. It was there, closer to the shores of our beloved Black Sea, that one more “splashes” - hydrogen sulfide. The farther from the coast, the safe the depth decreases, reaching up to 50 meters in the central zone. Hydrogen sulfide, although lighter than water, does not rise to the surface. Protects from this (according to scientists) the high pressure of the upper layers. However, sometimes an ejection of bubbles occurs, from which the marine inhabitants suffer. The waves carry them ashore in huge quantities. For people, these gas emissions are not dangerous, in any case, until a single poisoning has been recorded.
Some are afraid of the explosion of hydrogen sulfide (for example, from a lightning strike or from an underwater volcanic eruption). Scientists claim that this cannot happen, as deep hydrogen sulfide is in dissolved form.