A 21-year-old man was found dead in a car. There were 9 empty bottles of 610HAP (a 440 g bottle of a liquid bath essence containing 160-195 g/kg sulfur) and 10 of Sunpole (a 500 mL bottle of a toilet bowl cleaner containing 9.5% HCl) in the car. The car doors were sealed with tape, and there was a strong smell of sulfur in and around the car. GC/MS analysis showed 0.66 microg/mL sulfide and 0.14 micromol/mL thiosulfate in the blood sample. The concentration of thiosulfate in the urine sample was normal. Police investigation concluded that the man killed himself by aspirating hydrogen sulfide that had been produced by mixing 610 HAP and Sunpole. To examine the amount of hydrogen sulfide produced, small portions of these liquids were mixed in a 560-mL volume flask. The results showed that 0.1 mL of each liquid produced 4,950 ppm of hydrogen sulfide, and 0.2 mL of each produced 10,800 ppm. According to these results, if the cabin volume is assumed to be 3,300 L, mixing 120 mL of each liquid produces a lethal level of hydrogen sulfide, i.e., 1,000 ppm.
The following is a breakdown of hydrogen sulfide levels and the consequences of exposure:
The following is a breakdown of hydrogen sulfide levels and the consequences of exposure:
- .00011 to .00033 parts per million (ppm) is the amount of hydrogen sulfide typically occurring in the environment, or "typical background concentrations."
- At .01 to 1.5 ppm, the rotten egg smell associated with hydrogen sulfide may first become noticeable. At 3 to 5 ppm, the smell will be more pronounced and offensive.
- Prolonged exposure to 2 to 5 ppm may cause nausea, headache, watery eyes, and sleep loss.
- 20 ppm can cause memory problems, dizziness, headache, appetite loss, and fatigue.
- 50 to 100 ppm can cause appetite loss and digestive upset. After one hour, respiratory tract irritation and conjunctivitis (pink eye) can occur.
- Exposure to 100 ppm for 2-15 minutes can cause loss of smell, eye irritation, and coughing. After 15-30 minutes, drowsiness and breathing changes may set in. Symptoms may increase in severity as time goes on; after 48 hours, death may be imminent.
- 100 to 150 ppm of hydrogen sulfide will cause loss of smell.
- At 200 to 300 ppm, serious conjunctivitis and respiratory tract irritation may occur after 1 hour. Prolonged exposure at this level may cause fluid in the lungs (pulmonary edema).
- Exposure at 500 to 700 ppm can cause a person to collapse within 5 minutes. The eyes will be seriously damaged within 30 minutes, and death may occur after about 30 to 60 minutes.
- 700 to 1000 ppm can cause collapse and unconsciousness within just 1 or 2 breaths. Breathing will then stop, and death may occur within minutes.
- Hydrogen sulfide exposure at 1000 to 2000 ppm will cause almost immediate death.
- .00011 to .00033 parts per million (ppm) is the amount of hydrogen sulfide typically occurring in the environment, or "typical background concentrations."
- At .01 to 1.5 ppm, the rotten egg smell associated with hydrogen sulfide may first become noticeable. At 3 to 5 ppm, the smell will be more pronounced and offensive.
- Prolonged exposure to 2 to 5 ppm may cause nausea, headache, watery eyes, and sleep loss.
- 20 ppm can cause memory problems, dizziness, headache, appetite loss, and fatigue.
- 50 to 100 ppm can cause appetite loss and digestive upset. After one hour, respiratory tract irritation and conjunctivitis (pink eye) can occur.
- Exposure to 100 ppm for 2-15 minutes can cause loss of smell, eye irritation, and coughing. After 15-30 minutes, drowsiness and breathing changes may set in. Symptoms may increase in severity as time goes on; after 48 hours, death may be imminent.
- 100 to 150 ppm of hydrogen sulfide will cause loss of smell.
- At 200 to 300 ppm, serious conjunctivitis and respiratory tract irritation may occur after 1 hour. Prolonged exposure at this level may cause fluid in the lungs (pulmonary edema).
- Exposure at 500 to 700 ppm can cause a person to collapse within 5 minutes. The eyes will be seriously damaged within 30 minutes, and death may occur after about 30 to 60 minutes.
- 700 to 1000 ppm can cause collapse and unconsciousness within just 1 or 2 breaths. Breathing will then stop, and death may occur within minutes.
- Hydrogen sulfide exposure at 1000 to 2000 ppm will cause almost immediate death.
