H2S Awareness

Introduction

At higher concentrations H2S can

deaden your sense of smell.

Hydrogen Sulfide is an extremely

toxic gas that is colorless,

flammable, heavier than air,

soluble in water, and has the

smell of rotten eggs at lower

concentrations.

H2

S

H2S Awareness

How Is Hydrogen Sulfide Formed?

• Dark damp places where bacteria is present.

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.

H2S is a by-product formed when

organic matter decays.

H2S Awareness

Where Is Hydrogen Sulfide Found?

Heater Treaters

Hydrogen Sulfide can be found

almost anywhere that oil,

water, and gas are produced.

Examples are:

Production Separators

Pits, Cellars or Sewers.

Water Knock-Outs

Sulfur Removal Systems

Vapor Recovery Units

Flotation Cells

Wellheads or Tanks

H2S Awareness

What are the Health Hazards of H2S?

H2S will enter through the lungs and is

considered a chemical asphyxiate.

Hydrogen Sulfide can have an array of

health effects on the body depending

on exposure concentrations.

It blocks the transfer of oxygen to the blood

cells and causes paralysis of the respiratory

system.

H2S Awareness

Exposure Limits

Immediately Dangerous to Life or Health: 100 ppm

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.

H2S Awareness

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.

H2S Awareness

Monitoring

A variety of equipment can be used to do this:

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.

Portable monitors that can be hand held or attached to

yourself.

Fixed monitors can be located where contamination is

possible.

Alarms to alert personnel when H2S levels exceed

permissible exposure limits.

H2S Awareness

When Do We Monitor?

Examples of when air monitoring shall be performed

are:

Air monitoring should be done anytime there is a potential

for someone to be exposed over the PEL of H2S.

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

• At all times when working around H2S concentrations

• During all confined space entries.

• When gauging tanks.

H2S Awareness

Escape Guidelines:

• Never go directly upwind (you may be running into the

source).

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.

H2S Awareness

Summary:

Take H2S seriously… follow all safe guidelines and

standards. Remember; always ask a supervisor if unsure

Hydrogen Sulfide is deadly, especially when you don’t

understand or respect its dangers.

It’s a matter of life or death.

H2S Awareness

Quiz:

Short exposure to 100ppm hydrogen sulfide will cause

immediate death.

False

H2S Awareness

Quiz:

Hydrogen sulfide is invisible, flammable, explosive and

deadly.

True

H2S Awareness

Quiz:

When a hydrogen sulfide emergency occurs, rescue any

victims first, then protect yourself.

False

H2S Awareness

Quiz:

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

lying areas.

True

H2S Awareness

Quiz:

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

rotten-egg odor.

False

H2S Awareness

Quiz:

Emergency escape units can be used to enter and work in

H2S environments.

False

H2S Awareness

Quiz:

To avoid exposure to H2S, you should remain “wind

conscious”.

True

H2S Awareness

Quiz:

Your breathing apparatus should always be positive-

pressure, never air-purifying.

True

H2S Awareness

Quiz:

After you’ve been trained to use respiratory protection,

you won’t have to worry about additional training.

False

H2S Awareness

Quiz:

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

should move immediately downwind away from the area.

False