Deaths in Rotorua's geothermal hot pools: Hydrogen sulphide poisoning

Bassindale, Thomas; Hosking, Maxine

doi:10.1016/j.forsciint.2010.11.025

Cited by 15 publications

(13 citation statements)

References 5 publications

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“…Given that hydrogen sulfide has historically been regarded as an environmental poison, with numerous reports of near-fatal intoxication [38,44,45], we considered safety monitoring to be of particular importance in our study. As our preclinical studies indicated utility for ATTM as an IV therapy against reperfusion injury, we were keen to address hypotension and sulfhemoglobin formation in further detail, as these may represent limiting complications.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Ammonium tetrathiomolybdate following ischemia/reperfusion injury: Chemistry, pharmacology, and impact of a new class of sulfide donor in preclinical injury models

et al. 2017

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BackgroundEarly revascularization of ischemic organs is key to improving outcomes, yet consequent reperfusion injury may be harmful. Reperfusion injury is largely attributed to excess mitochondrial production of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Sulfide inhibits mitochondria and reduces ROS production. Ammonium tetrathiomolybdate (ATTM), a copper chelator, releases sulfide in a controlled and novel manner, and may offer potential therapeutic utility.Methods and findingsIn vitro, ATTM releases sulfide in a time-, pH-, temperature-, and thiol-dependent manner. Controlled sulfide release from ATTM reduces metabolism (measured as oxygen consumption) both in vivo in awake rats and ex vivo in skeletal muscle tissue, with a superior safety profile compared to standard sulfide generators. Given intravenously at reperfusion/resuscitation to rats, ATTM significantly reduced infarct size following either myocardial or cerebral ischemia, and conferred survival benefit following severe hemorrhage. Mechanistic studies (in vitro anoxia/reoxygenation) demonstrated a mitochondrial site of action (decreased MitoSOX fluorescence), where the majority of damaging ROS is produced.ConclusionsThe inorganic thiometallate ATTM represents a new class of sulfide-releasing drugs. Our findings provide impetus for further investigation of this compound as a novel adjunct therapy for reperfusion injury.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Ammonium tetrathiomolybdate following ischemia/reperfusion injury: Chemistry, pharmacology, and impact of a new class of sulfide donor in preclinical injury models

et al. 2017

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“…It is important also to appreciate that H 2 S is very toxic at higher concentrations and, without appropriate supporting data from exposed populations, no conclusions should be drawn about higher concentrations. That “hot spots” of H 2 S can occur in Rotorua is well-known and deaths are sometimes attributed to them (Bassindale and Hosking, 2011). Irrespective of the relationship between H 2 S and asthma, there are other potential health outcomes from hydrogen sulfide exposure, including possible neurologic and neuropsychologic effects (Kilburn et al, 2010) and effects on the eye, particularly cataract (Bates et al, 2002).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Associations of ambient hydrogen sulfide exposure with self-reported asthma and asthma symptoms

Bates

Garrett

Crane

et al. 2013

Environmental Research

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Background Whether long-term, low-level hydrogen sulfide (H2S) gas is a cause of health effects, including asthma, is uncertain. Rotorua city, New Zealand, has the largest population exposed, from geothermal sources, to relatively high ambient levels of H2S. In a cross-sectional study, the authors investigated associations with asthma in this population. Methods A total of 1,637 adults, aged 18-65 years, were enrolled during 2008-2010. Residences and workplaces were geocoded. H2S exposures at homes and workplaces were estimated using city-wide networks of passive H2S samplers and kriging to create exposure surfaces. Exposure metrics were based on (1) time-weighted exposures at home and work; and (2) the maximum exposure (home or work). Exposure estimates were entered as quartiles into log-binomial regression models, with covariate data. Results Neither exposure metric showed evidence of increased asthma risk from H2S. However, some suggestion of exposure-related reduced risks for diagnosed asthma and asthma symptoms, particularly wheezing during the last 12 months, emerged. With the maximum exposure metric, the prevalence ratio for wheeze in the highest exposure quartile was 0.80 (0.65, 0.99) and, for current asthma treatment, 0.75 (0.52, 1.08). There was no evidence that this was caused by a “survivor effect”. Conclusions The study provided no evidence that asthma risk increases with H2S exposure. Suggestions of a reduced risk in the higher exposure areas are consistent with recent evidence that H2S has signaling functions in the body, including induction of smooth muscle relaxation and reduction of inflammation. Study limitations, including possible confounding, preclude definitive conclusions.

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“…NO − 3 =NH þ 4 ; Fe 3+ /Fe 2+ ; Mn 4+ /Mn 2+ ; SO 2− 4 =H 2 S ) at chemical equilibrium and voltage of a standard hydrogen electrode according to the Nernst equation (e.g. Appelo and Postma 2005).…”

Section: Essentials Of Oxidation-reduction Potential In Groundwatermentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The geochemical speciation modelling is a tool that, among others, allows estimating species activities and the saturation state of waters with respect to solid phases. Such calculations for electro-active elements require reliable information about the ORP of a solution (Langmuir 1997;Drever 1997;Appelo and Postma 2005;Merkel and Planer-Friedrich 2008).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Redox potential research in the field of balneochemistry: case study on equilibrium approach to bioactive elements in therapeutic waters

et al. 2020

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In some countries (e.g. Poland, Czechia, Slovakia, Russia, Germany), oxidation-reduction potential (ORP) measurements are required to document the quality of groundwater which are planned to be used as therapeutic waters. ORP is still rarely studied and not fully availed in therapeutic water research. Studies of ORP in various types of therapeutic, mineral and thermal waters in sites of Poland integrated with geochemical equilibrium approach were employed to characterize two redox-sensitive and bioactive elements, i.e. iron and sulphur. Studied waters present reducing conditions (E H between − 406 and − 41 mV) at outflow or extraction sites; however, they significantly differ in terms of total dissolved solids, temperature, and iron, sulphur(II) and sulphate concentrations. These result in recognizable differences, e.g. in terms of saturation state with respect to aquifer rock minerals and the dominating forms of occurrence of elements studied disclosed on the stability field diagrams. Considering the methodological determinants, ORP orchestrated with geochemical modelling tools might be successfully applied for studying natural linkages between various groundwater in natural systems, protecting the therapeutic water resource, and identifying the changes of water quality both at exploitation sites (springs, wells) and treatment places.

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Deaths in Rotorua's geothermal hot pools: Hydrogen sulphide poisoning

Cited by 15 publications

References 5 publications

Ammonium tetrathiomolybdate following ischemia/reperfusion injury: Chemistry, pharmacology, and impact of a new class of sulfide donor in preclinical injury models

Ammonium tetrathiomolybdate following ischemia/reperfusion injury: Chemistry, pharmacology, and impact of a new class of sulfide donor in preclinical injury models

Associations of ambient hydrogen sulfide exposure with self-reported asthma and asthma symptoms

Redox potential research in the field of balneochemistry: case study on equilibrium approach to bioactive elements in therapeutic waters

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