Hydrogen Sulfide Poisoning

Smith, Roger P.; Gosselin, R. E.

doi:10.1097/00043764-197902000-00008

Cited by 137 publications

(93 citation statements)

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“…The occupational effects of hydrogen sulfide poisoning among cesspit and privy cleaners were first discussed by the Italian physician Bernardo Ramazzini in his treatise De morbis artificum diatribe in 1700, translated into English in 1705 [1]. Hydrogen sulfide toxicity became a public health concern in 1777 after several deaths were attributed to the Parisian sewer system.…”

Section: What Is the Historical And Current Epidemiology Of H 2 S Poimentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Through animal studies in the first decade of the 19th century, Dupuytren identified hydrogen sulfide as the substance of the Paris sewer deaths. Despite two separate commissions appointed to investigate the conditions of the Paris sewer systems in 1785 and 1829, deplorable conditions existed with continued off-gassing resulting in reported deaths in 1836 [1,2]. Victor Hugo described these toxic conditions in Les Miserables in 1862: "Slow asphyxia by uncleanliness, a sarcophagus where asphyxia opens its claws in the filth and clutches you by the throat; fetidness mingled with the death-rattle, mud instead of the sand, sulphuretted hydrogen in lieu of the hurricane, ordure instead of the ocean" [3].…”

Section: What Is the Historical And Current Epidemiology Of H 2 S Poimentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Occupational hydrogen sulfide exposures were reported by the US Department of the Interior of Mines. Reports described 58 cases of asphyxia and 99 cases of irritation in 1925 that were sustained during the refining of high-sulfur crude oil [1]. In 1929, Aves observed the effects of hydrogen sulfide poisoning in Texas oil fields and estimated there were 15-30 deaths over a 2 year period [1].…”

Section: What Is the Historical And Current Epidemiology Of H 2 S Poimentioning

confidence: 99%

“…On November 24, 1950, an oil producing plant in Poza Rica, Mexico, released large quantities of hydrogen sulfide into the air. The release resulted in the hospitalization of 320 people and the deaths of 22 people [1,9]. In 1964, 41 health related complaints (including nausea, insomnia, headache, and dyspnea) due to an increased atmospheric hydrogen sulfide air concentration of 0.4 mcg/L (0.3 ppm) were recorded in Terre Haute, Indiana at an industrial waste biodegradation plant [1,9].…”

Section: What Is the Historical And Current Epidemiology Of H 2 S Poimentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Finally, a methylation pathway is involved in the production as well as the metabolism of hydrogen sulfide. Depending on the clinical scenario, a cycle of endogenous production as well as exogenous hydrogen sulfide detoxification aligns in a delicate balance to produce physiologic or pathologic symptoms [1,[13][14][15][16].…”

Section: How Does Hydrogen Sulfide Exert Its Toxic Effects?mentioning

confidence: 99%

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Case files of the university of cincinnati fellowship in medical toxicology: Two patients with acute lethal occupational exposure to hydrogen sulfide

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Otten

2007

J. Med. Toxicol.

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We are presenting cases of 2 employees of a chemical plastics manufacturing plant who experienced acute, brief, inhalational exposure to lethal concentrations of hydrogen sulfide in a confined space. Eight other coworkers not present in the immediate exposure area also presented to local health care facilities with mild complaints of headache, nausea, and dizziness, but they suffered no significant sequelae.Patient #1 was a 55-year-old man who, while working in a confined space, uncoupled a nozzle from a steam pipe, collapsed within one minute, and suffered cardiopulmonary arrest. He had a prior history of asthma, hyperlipidemia, coronary artery disease, and was taking lisinopril, aspirin, and lipitor. Following chest compressions and rescue breathing, both by on-scene responders and EMS, the patient's blood pressure was 210/110 mmHg, the pulse was 100 bpm, and ventilation was assisted at 14/minute. On examination, the patient was minimally combative, with a Glasgow coma score of 6 (E1, V1, M4), with pupils 3 mm bilaterally and reactive to light. The patient had a small partial-thickness burn to the right chest, presumed to be a thermal burn from steam or the hot pipe. No cyanosis or pulmonary crackles were noted. Because of respiratory distress, the patient was intubated on-scene using fentanyl, diazepam, and vecuronium by the combined nurse-physician Air EMS flight team. Post-intubation vital signs were as follows: blood pressure 130/69 mmHg, pulse 95 bpm, respirations 14/min (assisted), and oxygen saturation 98% on 100% FiO 2 . The patient's temperature on arrival to the Emergency Department (ED) was 98.2°F (36.8°C), where his examination remained unchanged.Diagnostic studies were obtained in the ED. Arterial blood gas analysis on 100% O 2 showed: pH 7.24, pCO 2 58 mmHg, pO 2 284 mmHg, oxyhemoglobin 97.2%, deoxyhemoglobin 2.0%, methemoglobin 0.3%, and carboxyhemoglobin 0.0%. The blood appeared red. An electrocardiogram revealed a narrow complex tachycardia, without Q waves, ST-segment abnormalities, or interval changes. Serum chemistries were as follows: a sodium of 139 mEq/L, potassium of 4.2 mEq/L, chloride of 105 mEq/L, bicarbonate of 25 mEq/L, BUN of 15 mg/dL, creatinine of 0.9 mg/dL, and glucose of 156 mg/dL. Creatinine kinase (CK) was 299 IU/L, CK-MB 2.2 IU/L, and troponin-I was 0.05 IU/L. A complete blood count showed: white blood cells at 9.0 k/mm 3 , hemoglobin at 13.0 g/dL, hematocrit at 38.2%, and platelets at 130/mm 3 . Coagulation studies were normal, and a chest radiograph showed adequate endotracheal tube placement, absence of pulmonary edema, and a widened mediastinal silhouette, likely due to projection artifact on an antero-posterior film.Patient #2 was a 53-year-old male co-worker, with a history of hypertension, but he was not receiving medical therapy. He was

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Section: What Is the Historical And Current Epidemiology Of H 2 S Poimentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: What Is the Historical And Current Epidemiology Of H 2 S Poimentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: What Is the Historical And Current Epidemiology Of H 2 S Poimentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: What Is the Historical And Current Epidemiology Of H 2 S Poimentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: How Does Hydrogen Sulfide Exert Its Toxic Effects?mentioning

confidence: 99%

See 3 more Smart Citations

Case files of the university of cincinnati fellowship in medical toxicology: Two patients with acute lethal occupational exposure to hydrogen sulfide

Policastro

Otten

2007

J. Med. Toxicol.

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show abstract