H2S Awareness

Introduction

Hydrogen Sulfide is an extremely

toxic gas that is colorless,
flammable, heavier than air,
soluble in water, and has the
H2S
smell of rotten eggs at lower
concentrations.

At higher concentrations H2S can

deaden your sense of smell.
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How Is Hydrogen Sulfide Formed?

H2S is a by-product formed when
organic matter decays.

Hydrogen Sulfide is generated as a

common by-product of industrial and
manufacturing processes.

Hydrogen Sulfide is formed under low oxygen conditions

when sufficient amounts of sulfur and bacteria are
present. H2S can be formed in many places such as:

• Oil and gas reservoirs.

• Sewers and sewage processing facilities.

• Dark damp places where bacteria is present.

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Where Is Hydrogen Sulfide Found?

Hydrogen Sulfide can be found

almost anywhere that oil,
water, and gas are produced.

Examples are:

Production Separators Vapor Recovery Units

Sulfur Removal Systems Flotation Cells

Water Knock-Outs Wellheads or Tanks

Heater Treaters Pits, Cellars or Sewers.

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What are the Health Hazards of H2S?

Hydrogen Sulfide can have an array of

health effects on the body depending
on exposure concentrations.

H2S will enter through the lungs and is

considered a chemical asphyxiate.

It blocks the transfer of oxygen to the blood

cells and causes paralysis of the respiratory
system.
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Exposure Limits

Here are the Hydrogen Sulfide (H2S)

exposure limits.

Permissible Exposure Limit: 10 ppm for an 8-hr period avg.

Short Term Exposure Limit: 15 ppm for a 15-minute avg.

Immediately Dangerous to Life or Health: 100 ppm

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Concentration Levels & Effects

The following table below lists the health effects of
exposure to H2S.

Concentration Health Effects

10 ppm Beginning eye irritation
50-100 ppm Slight respiratory tract irritation after 1 hour exposure.
100 ppm Coughing, eye irritation, loss of sense of smell after 2-15 minutes. Altered
respiration, pain in the eyes, and drowsiness after 15-30 minutes followed by
throat irritation after 1 hour. Several hours exposure results in gradual
increase in severity of these symptoms and death may occur within the next
48 hours
200-300 ppm Severe respiratory tract irritation after 1 hour of exposure. Possible
pulmonary edema (fluid in the lungs).
500-700 ppm Loss of consciousness and possibly death in 30 minutes to 1 hour.

700-1,000 ppm Rapid unconsciousness, loss of respiration, and death after 1-3 minutes.
1,000-2,000ppm Unconsciousness at once, loss of respiration and death in a few minutes.
Death may occur even if individual is removed to fresh air at once.
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Monitoring
As mentioned, one of Hydrogen Sulfide's effects on the
body is it deadens the sense of smell at fairly low
concentrations.

This can cause a false sense of security

and therefore we must use air monitoring
equipment to detect H2S.

A variety of equipment can be used to do this:

Fixed monitors can be located where contamination is

possible.
Alarms to alert personnel when H2S levels exceed
permissible exposure limits.

Portable monitors that can be hand held or attached to

yourself.
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When Do We Monitor?

Air monitoring should be done anytime there is a potential

for someone to be exposed over the PEL of H2S.

Examples of when air monitoring shall be performed

are:

• At all times when working around H2S concentrations

• During all confined space entries.

• Any time there is a potential to be exposed over the PEL.

• When gauging tanks.

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Escape Guidelines:

Should a release occur here are some escape guidelines

you must follow.

• Know the alarm systems.

• Know where the potential sources for H2S are located.
• Know the wind direction at all times.
• Escape by getting upwind to a higher elevation (if
possible) from the source.

• When escaping, always go cross wind and around the

source.
• Never go directly upwind (you may be running into the
source).
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Summary:

Hydrogen Sulfide is deadly, especially when you don’t

understand or respect its dangers.

Take H2S seriously… follow all safe guidelines and

standards. Remember; always ask a supervisor if unsure

It’s a matter of life or death.

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Quiz:

Short exposure to 100ppm hydrogen sulfide will cause

immediate death.

False
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Quiz:

Hydrogen sulfide is invisible, flammable, explosive and

deadly.

True
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Quiz:

When a hydrogen sulfide emergency occurs, rescue any

victims first, then protect yourself.

False
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Quiz:

Hydrogen sulfide is heavier than air, so it collects in low-

lying areas.

True
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Quiz:

You do not need to worry about H2S unless you detect a

rotten-egg odor.

False
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Quiz:

Emergency escape units can be used to enter and work in

H2S environments.

False
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Quiz:

To avoid exposure to H2S, you should remain “wind

conscious”.

True
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Quiz:

Your breathing apparatus should always be positive-

pressure, never air-purifying.

True
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Quiz:

After you’ve been trained to use respiratory protection,

you won’t have to worry about additional training.

False
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Quiz:

If you suspect H2S is present in your work area, you

should move immediately downwind away from the area.

False