CORP Author |
Litton Systems, Inc., Bethesda, MD. Environmental Systems Div.;Public Health Service, Washington, DC.;National Air Polution Control Administration, Raleigh, NC. |
Abstract |
This is a preliminary literature review representing present knowledge of hydrogen sulfide and its effects on humans, animals, plants and materials. Hydrogen sulfide is a colorless gas that has an obnoxious odor at low concentrations. The odor threshold is in the g/cu m range. In higher concentrations, the gas is toxic to humans and animals and corrosive to many metals. It will tarnish silver and react with heavy metals in points to discolor the paint. In humans, it will cause headache, conjunctivitis, sleeplessness, pain in the eyes, and similar symptoms at low air concentrations and death at high air concentrations. However, the majority of the complaints arising from hydrogen sulfide air pollution are due to its obnoxious odor in extremely low air concentrations. Air pollution by hydrogen sulfide is not a widespread urban problem but is generally localized in the vicinity of an emitter such as kraft paper mills, industrial waste disposal ponds, sewage plants, refineries, and coke oven plants. |
Notes |
Prepared for the National Air Pollution Control Administration, Consumer Protection & Environmental Health Service, Department of Health, Education, and Welfare (Contract No. PH-22-68025) Bibliography: p. 72-84. |