Hydrogen Sulfide

SECTION 2: Hazards identification

Emergency overview Color : Colorless. Physical state : Gas. Odor : Rotten eggs. [Strong]

Signal word

DANGER!

Hazard statements

FLAMMABLE GAS. MAY CAUSE FLASH FIRE. HIGH PRESSURE GAS. MAY BE FATAL IF INHALED. CAUSES RESPIRATORY TRACT AND EYE IRRITATION. CAN CAUSE TARGET ORGAN DAMAGE.

Precautionary statements

Keep away from heat, sparks and flame. Do not puncture or incinerate container. Do not breathe gas. Do not get on skin or clothing. Avoid contact with eyes. Use only with adequate ventilation. Keep container tightly closed and sealed until ready for use. Wash thoroughly after handling. OSHA/HCS status : This material is considered hazardous by the OSHA Hazard Communication Standard (29 CFR 1910.1200).

Principle Routes of Exposure

Dermal contact. Eye contact. Inhalation.

Potential Acute Health Effects

Inhalation At concentrations of 0.13 to 30 ppm, the odor is obvious and unpleasant. At 50 ppm, marked dryness and irritation of the nose and throat occurs. Prolonged exposure may cause a runny nose, cough, hoarseness, shortness of breath and pneumonia. At 100- 150 ppm, there is a temporary loss of smell. At 200 to 250 ppm, H2S causes severe irritation as well as symptoms such as headache, nausea, vomiting and dizziness. Prolonged exposure may cause lung damage (build-up of fluid in the lungs). Exposure for 4 to 8 hours can cause death. Concentrations of 300-500 ppm cause these same effects sooner and more severely. Death can occur in 1 to 4 hours. At 500 ppm, excitement, headache, dizziness, staggering, unconsciousness and respiratory failure occur in 5 minutes to 1 hour. Death can occur in 30 minutes to 1 hour. Exposures above 500 ppm rapidly cause unconsciousness and death. Severe exposures, which do not result in death, may cause long-term symptoms such as memory loss, paralysis of facial muscles or nerve tissue damage. Ingestion Since the product is a gas it is more probable that it will be inhaled rather than ingested. Skin The first action is to look at treating and/or preventing inhalation of the material. Rarely, the gas may irritate the skin. Contact with liquid H2S can cause frostbite (freezing of the tissue). Eyes Inflammation and irritation of the eyes can occur at very low airborne concentrations (sometimes less than 10 ppm). Exposure over several hours or days may result in "gas eyes" or "sore eyes" with symptoms of scratchiness, irritation, tearing and burning. Above 50 ppm, there is intense tearing, blurring of vision and pain when looking at light. The victim may see rings around bright lights. Most symptoms disappear when exposure ceases. However, in serious cases the eye may be permanently damaged. Contact with liquid H2S may freeze the eye and cause severe damage or blindness. Potential chronic health effects

Potential chronic health

Can cause target organ damage. Carcinogenicity : No known significant effects or critical hazards. Mutagenicity : No known significant effects or critical hazards.

Teratogenic Effects

No known significant effects or critical hazards. Developmental effects : No known significant effects or critical hazards. Fertility effects : No known significant effects or critical hazards. Target organs : May cause damage to the following organs: lungs, upper respiratory tract, eyes, central nervous system (CNS). Over-exposure signs/symptoms Inhalation : Adverse symptoms may include the following: respiratory tract irritation coughing Ingestion : No specific data. Skin : No specific data. Eyes : Adverse symptoms may include the following: pain or irritation watering redness Medical conditions Pre-existing disorders involving any target organs mentioned in this MSDS as being at aggravated by overexposure risk may be aggravated by over-exposure to this product. See toxicological information (Section 11)