The odor may be more noticeable when hot water is run as heat forces the gas into the air which may cause the odor to be especially offensive when showering. If there is an ongoing issue with hydrogen sulphide in your water supply, there are a variety of water treatment devices capable of removing it. Consult a licensed plumber or a water treatment company to determine what water treatment device will best suit your needs.
Chemical sampling can be done for a fee through a licensed private lab. For more information contact the Health Unit at If you notice a rotten egg scent near your home and suspect hydrogen sulfide, call the Spills Action Centre of the Ministry of Environment at , toll-free , or TYY.
Where does Hydrogen Sulphide come from? How would a person be exposed to Hydrogen Sulphide? The hydrogen sulfide content of natural gas is one of the main safety concerns associated with the use of natural gas. Natural gas with especially high levels of hydrogen sulfide is referred to as sour gas. Some of this sulfur can be removed through a "sweetening" process, called the "amine process" or more commonly the "Girdler process".
It is used in most gas sweetening operations and is done mainly using amine solutions that remove the hydrogen sulfide. Hydrogen sulfide is used primarily to produce sulfuric acid and sulfur. It is also used to create a variety of inorganic sulfides used to create pesticides, leather, dyes, and pharmaceuticals. Hydrogen sulfide is used to produce heavy water for nuclear power plants like CANDU reactors specifically.
Hydrogen sulfide can also be used in agriculture as a disinfectant. It is also widely used in chemical analysis. Iron smelters, landfills, food processing plants, and breweries are some examples of industrial sources that produce or use hydrogen sulfide. Low concentrations of ppm cause irritation of the eyes; slightly higher concentrations may cause irritation of the upper respiratory tract. If exposure is prolonged, pulmonary edema may result.
As concentrations approach ppm, the odor becomes imperceptible because of olfactory fatigue. At a concentration of ppm, the olfactory nerve is paralyzed. At higher concentrations of to ppm, hydrogen sulfide can be immediately life threatening.
Because hydrogen sulfide is slightly heavier than air and tends to sink, children may be more likely to be exposed to larger amounts than adults in the same situations because they are shorter than adults. Adults and children with asthma may be especially sensitive even to low concentrations of hydrogen sulfide. In cases of life-threatening hydrogen sulfide poisoning, measurements of blood sulfide or urinary thiosulfate levels may be used to confirm exposure.
However, samples need to be taken within two hours of exposure. When released into the environment, hydrogen sulfide dissipates into the air and it may form sulfur dioxide and sulfuric acid. Prolonged exposure to low levels may cause painful skin rashes and irritated eyes. Repeated exposure over time to high levels of H2S may cause convulsions, coma, brain and heart damage, even death.
Heavier than air, H2S gas accumulates in low lying areas of poorly ventilated spaces. In oil and gas applications, sour gas products containing H2S gas in the presence of air and moisture may form sulfuric acid, capable of corroding metals.
Facility equipment, including the internal surfaces of various components, faces reduced durability and impact strength, potentially leading to premature failure. Hydrogen sulfide is a fast acting poison, impacting many systems within the body.
Importantly, gas detectors such as Blackline's G7 wireless gas detector, should be considered as they alert live monitoring personnel of worker H2S gas exposure. Devices with a fast response time and sturdy construction are important for use in harsh environments where H2S may occur.
Additionally, as H2S may desensitize and render the body unconscious in no time at high concentrations, connected personal monitoring equipment is crucial.
Those exposed to H2S gas should remove themselves from the toxic environment immediately.
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