Treatment of Hydrogen Sulfide Poisoning

Diagnosis is based primarily on history. Blood nitrites may indicate exposure if measured immediately after exposure (Reiffenstein et al. 1992). Treatment consists primarily of supportive measures. Some protocols call for managing symptoms with atropine, amyl nitrite, sodium nitrite, or hyperbaric oxygen (Gosselin et al. 1984 Reiffenstein et al. 1992). The efficacy of these treatments is unclear. 

Glass DC A review of the health effects of hydrogen sulphide exposure. Ann Occup Hyg 34 323-327, 1990 

Goldsmith JR The 20-minute disaster hydrogen sulfide spill at Poza Rica, in Environmental Epidemiology Epidemiological Investigation of Community Environmental Health Problems. Edited by Goldsmith JR. Boca Raton, FL, CRC Press, 1986, pp 65-71 

Gosselin RE, Smith RP, Hodge HC, et al Clinical Toxicology of Commercial Products. Baltimore, MD, Williams Wilkins, 1984 

Guidotti TL Occupational exposure to hydrogen sulfide in the sour gas industry some unresolved issues. Int Arch Occup Environ Health 66 153-160, 1994 

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D. Enhanced elimination. There is no role for enhanced elimination procedures. Although hyperbaric oxygen therapy has been promoted for treatment of hydrogen sulfide poisoning, this is based on anecdotal cases and there is no convincing rationale or scientific evidence for its effectiveness. 

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