Inhalation of hydrogen sulfide

Kohno M, Tanaka E, Nakamura T, et al. 1991. [Influence of short-term inhalation of hydrogen sulfide in rats.] Eisei Kagaku—Japanese Journal of Toxicology and Environmental Health 37 103-106. (Japanese)... 

A. Potassium Thiotosylate. Caution This procedure should be carried out in a hood to avoid inhalation of hydrogen sulfide. 

Several studies in humans have examined inhalation of hydrogen sulfide at low concentrations (Bhambhani and Singh 1991 Bhambhani et al. 1994, 1996a,b, 1997 Jappinen et al. 1990). The data are summarized in Table 7-2. 

Kohno, M., E.Tanaka, T.Nakamura, T.Nakamura, N.Shimojo, and S.Misawa. 1991. Influence of the short-term inhalation of hydrogen sulfide in rats. Eisei Kagaku. 37(2) 103—106. 

Table 4. Effects of Hydrogen Sulfide Inhalation on Humans ...

Levels of Significant Exposure to Hydrogen Sulfide - Inhalation 2-2 Levels of Significant Exposure to Hydrogen Sulfide - Oral 2-3 Metabolic Pathways of Hydrogen Sulfide Biotransformation... 

A 1,5-hour inhalation exposure of mixed breed rabbits to airborne concentrations of 72 ppm of hydrogen sulfide resulted in ventricular repolarization, while a 5-day, 0.5-hour/day exposure to this concentration resulted in cardiac arrhythmia (Kosmider et al. 1967). Histochemical staining of the myocardial cells revealed a reduction in adenosine tri-phosphate (ATP) phosphohydrolase and NADPH2 oxidoreductase (Kosmider et al. 1967). Cardiac arrhythmia, suggestive of a stimulus transmission disorder, was... 

Complete blood counts were normal in four individuals overcome by unknown concentrations of hydrogen sulfide gas in a pelt room (Audeau et al. 1985). Percent hemoglobin saturation was unchanged by inhalation of either 5 ppm hydrogen sulfide by volunteers during 30 minutes of submaximal exercise (Bhambhani et al. 1994), or 10 ppm hydrogen sulfide during two 30 minute sessions of submaximal exercise (Bhambhani et al. 1997). 

Hepatic Effects. Increases in unspecified liver enzyme activities were noted in some of 221 persons exposed by inhalation to hydrogen sulfide (Burnett et al. 1977). No baseline for these effects was available and they were not quantified. 

Effects observed in animals are similar to those that have been observed in humans. Death has occurred in animals after inhalation of high concentrations of hydrogen sulfide. Acute inhalation exposures to hydrogen sulfide have also resulted in respiratory, cardiovascular, neurological, hepatic, body weight, and developmental effects in animals. Gastrointestinal effects have been noted in animals after oral exposure to hydrogen sulfide. 

Respiratory Effects. In most case reports of acute accidental exposure to hydrogen sulfide and occupational studies, exposure concentrations and duration were not reported. However, acute inhalation exposure to >500 ppm hydrogen sulfide is considered to result in respiratory failure. Death is often the result of respiratory depression as a result of the action of hydrogen sulfide on the respiratory center in the brain. Respiratory distress was reported in 2 workers exposed to >40 ppm hydrogen sulfide for... 

Renal Effects. No adverse renal effects have been observed in workers overcome by inhaling high levels of hydrogen sulfide (Audeau et al. 1985). Based on this data, it is considered unlikely that persons exposed to low levels of hydrogen sulfide near hazardous waste sites would develop renal effects. 

The usefulness of urinary thiosulfate as an indicator of nonfatal hydrogen sulfide toxicity has been studied (Kangas and Savolainen 1987). Urinary samples for thiosulfate were obtained from volunteers exposed by inhalation to 8, 18, or 30 ppm of hydrogen sulfide for 30-45 minutes (the occupational exposure limit of 10 ppm for 8 hours was never exceeded). Excretion of urinary thiosulfate increased linearly up to 15 hours postexposure. Beyond 15 hours, the urinary thiosulfate concentration remained low, possibly indicating that most of the absorbed hydrogen sulfide was metabolized or excreted within 15 hours. 

Bhambhani Y, Singh M. 1991. Physiological effects of hydrogen sulfide inhalation during exercise in healthy men. J Appl Physiol 71 1872-1877. 

CIIT. 1983a. 90-Day vapor inhalation toxicity study of hydrogen sulfide in B6C3Fj mice. Report to the Chemical Industry Institute of Toxicology, Research Triangle Park, NC, by ToxiGenics, Inc. CUT docket 42063. 

---