H2S Awareness

DEADLY GASDEADLY GAS

Hydrogen Sulphide GasHydrogen Sulphide GasHH22SS

NFPA RATING

433

-

Learn About HLearn About H22SS

HEALTH

FLAMMABILITY

REACTIVITY

Colourless Gas “Rotten – Egg” Odour Extremely Flammable Highly Reactive Highly Toxic Irritating Corrosive

Properties:


H2S Present In : Production and processing of petroleum gas. Metal Refining Pulp & Paper production Sewage and Water treatment Oil Wells Refineries Gas PlantsGas Oil Separation Plants


Concentration Concentration PPMPPM Physical EffectPhysical Effect

11 No significant physical effects; sense of smell remains intact and can detect a rotten-No significant physical effects; sense of smell remains intact and can detect a rotten-egg odor.egg odor.

1010TLV – Eye irritation; 10 ppm is the threshold limit value (TLV ) – the greatest TLV – Eye irritation; 10 ppm is the threshold limit value (TLV ) – the greatest concentration safeto breathe without respiratory protection for a normal 8 – hour concentration safeto breathe without respiratory protection for a normal 8 – hour workday and 40 – hour work week.workday and 40 – hour work week.

1515 STEL – Short Term Exposure Limit.STEL – Short Term Exposure Limit.

100100 Eye inflammation; corneal blistering; headache; nausea; cough; sense of smell Eye inflammation; corneal blistering; headache; nausea; cough; sense of smell becomes ineffectual within 3 to 15 minutes.becomes ineffectual within 3 to 15 minutes.

300300 IDLH – Immediate Danger To Life And Health ( Loss of smelling sense, heavy breathing, IDLH – Immediate Danger To Life And Health ( Loss of smelling sense, heavy breathing, dizziness, headache and total collapse within 1-4 hrs.dizziness, headache and total collapse within 1-4 hrs.

500500 Respiratory disturbances cause breathing difficulties; nervous system impairment can Respiratory disturbances cause breathing difficulties; nervous system impairment can result in tremors, numbness in extremities, and convulsions; ability to reason is lost.result in tremors, numbness in extremities, and convulsions; ability to reason is lost.

700700 Respiratory Failure; unconsciousness; seizures; loss of bowel and bladder control; fatal Respiratory Failure; unconsciousness; seizures; loss of bowel and bladder control; fatal in 30 minutes.in 30 minutes.

10001000 Immediate unconsciousness; fatal in a few breaths.Immediate unconsciousness; fatal in a few breaths.

EFFECT OF H2S ON HUMAN BODY


ENTRY ROUTES:ENTRY ROUTES: InhalationInhalation EyeEye Skin ContactSkin Contact

TARGET ORGANS:TARGET ORGANS: EyeEye Respiratory SystemRespiratory System Central Nervous SystemCentral Nervous System



HOW DOES HHOW DOES H22S AFFECT THE INDIVIDUALS AFFECT THE INDIVIDUAL

When a person breathes HWhen a person breathes H22S, it goes directly through the lungs to S, it goes directly through the lungs to the blood stream. To protect itself, the body oxidises (break the blood stream. To protect itself, the body oxidises (break down) Hdown) H22S as rapidly as possible into harmless compounds, e.g., S as rapidly as possible into harmless compounds, e.g., Sulphites and Sulphates. But if the individual breathes in so Sulphites and Sulphates. But if the individual breathes in so much Hmuch H22S that the body cannot oxidise all of it, and HS that the body cannot oxidise all of it, and H22S builds up S builds up in the blood and poisons the individual. The nerve centres in the in the blood and poisons the individual. The nerve centres in the brain which controlsbreathing are paralysed, the lungs stop brain which controlsbreathing are paralysed, the lungs stop functioning and the person becomes unconscious. Consequently functioning and the person becomes unconscious. Consequently death may occur if not rescued in time and given artificial death may occur if not rescued in time and given artificial resuscitation. Hresuscitation. H22S may also pass through any ear drum S may also pass through any ear drum perforations to the lungs and to the blood. perforations to the lungs and to the blood.

HH22S HAZARDSS HAZARDS

HH22S IS TOXICS IS TOXIC Irritant to exposed tissues of the:Irritant to exposed tissues of the: EyesEyes NoseNose ThroatThroat LungsLungs When absorbed, it acts as an internal poison.When absorbed, it acts as an internal poison. Impair the CNS.Impair the CNS. Paralyse the respiratory system.Paralyse the respiratory system. 300 PPM – Considered as IDLH.300 PPM – Considered as IDLH.



ODOUR IS NOT A RELIABLE WARNINGODOUR IS NOT A RELIABLE WARNING Don’t be misled by the fact that you can smell low Don’t be misled by the fact that you can smell low concentrations of Hconcentrations of H22S. Your sense of smell is desensitized by S. Your sense of smell is desensitized by higher, more dangerous concentrations of Hhigher, more dangerous concentrations of H22S.S.

HH22S IS COLOURLESSS IS COLOURLESSTherefore, leaks cannot be seen. In windy weather, HTherefore, leaks cannot be seen. In windy weather, H22S moves S moves as an invisible cloud, usually in the direction the wind is as an invisible cloud, usually in the direction the wind is blowing.blowing.


HH22S HAZARDSS HAZARDSHH22S IS HEAVIER THAN AIRS IS HEAVIER THAN AIR

It tends to settle into low-lying areas, such as trenches, sewers, It tends to settle into low-lying areas, such as trenches, sewers, and excavations. Although upper levels of the area might be and excavations. Although upper levels of the area might be clear of Hclear of H22S, it can exist as a deadly gas layer on lower levels.S, it can exist as a deadly gas layer on lower levels.

HH22S IS FLAMMABLE AND EXPLOSIVES IS FLAMMABLE AND EXPLOSIVEUnder normal atmospheric conditions, H2S combines with air Under normal atmospheric conditions, H2S combines with air to form a mixture that will ignite over a very wide range of its to form a mixture that will ignite over a very wide range of its volume in air (4.3% - 46%). This range is almost seven times volume in air (4.3% - 46%). This range is almost seven times greater than the flammable or explosive range of gasoline.greater than the flammable or explosive range of gasoline.


HH22S HAZARDSS HAZARDSBURNING HBURNING H22S EMITS SULPHUR DIOXIDE S EMITS SULPHUR DIOXIDE

( SO( SO22)) SOSO22 can severely irritate exposed tissues of the eyes, nose, can severely irritate exposed tissues of the eyes, nose, throat, and respiratory system.throat, and respiratory system.

HH22S IS CORROSIVES IS CORROSIVEWhen H2S combines with moisture in the air, it forms a When H2S combines with moisture in the air, it forms a corrosive acid that degrades the integrity of metal equipment. corrosive acid that degrades the integrity of metal equipment. Dangerous leaks can result when this acid corrodes the metal Dangerous leaks can result when this acid corrodes the metal of pipes, valves, tanks, and other equipment.of pipes, valves, tanks, and other equipment.




HH22S FORMS PYROPHORIC MATERIALSS FORMS PYROPHORIC MATERIALS When H2S reacts with steel (found in pipes and other When H2S reacts with steel (found in pipes and other equipment), a by-product is iron sulfide scale. Iron Sulfide scale equipment), a by-product is iron sulfide scale. Iron Sulfide scale is a pyrophoric material that has the potential to spontaneously is a pyrophoric material that has the potential to spontaneously ignite when it’s dry and exposed to air.ignite when it’s dry and exposed to air.


HH22S HAZARD CONTROLS HAZARD CONTROL Engineering measuresEngineering measures DetectionDetection Respiratory ProtectionRespiratory Protection Training.Training.

Learn About HLearn About H22SSHH22S HAZARD CONTROLS HAZARD CONTROL

ENGINEERING MEASURES Safe designSafe design Regular MaintenanceRegular Maintenance VentilationVentilation Control Of Leaks.Control Of Leaks.

DETECTION Continuous Gas MonitorsContinuous Gas Monitors Personal HPersonal H22S Monitor.S Monitor.

Learn About HLearn About H22SSHH22S HAZARD CONTROLS HAZARD CONTROL

RESPIRATORY PROTECTIONRESPIRATORY PROTECTION SCBASCBA Air LineAir Line Do not use air – purifying or cartridge type Do not use air – purifying or cartridge type

breathing apparatus.breathing apparatus.

Always follow your organization’s safety Always follow your organization’s safety procedures, and be ready to respond in the event procedures, and be ready to respond in the event of an emergency.of an emergency.

When you work around HWhen you work around H22S, it is critical that you S, it is critical that you think before you act. There’s simply no room for think before you act. There’s simply no room for error. error.

STAY ALERTSTAY ALERT

HH22S IS A DEADLY GAS.S IS A DEADLY GAS.

ALWAYS REMEMBER THAT:ALWAYS REMEMBER THAT:

H2S Awareness

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