Chemical Safety Data: Hydrogen Sulphide

Common synonyms

Hydrogen sulfide, sewer gas, stink gas, rotten eggs smell, sulfureted hydrogen

Formula

H₂S

Physical properties

Form: colourless gas with a strong smell of rotten eggs
Stability: Stable, but highly flammable
Melting point: -85 C
Boiling point: -60 C
Cylinder pressure: typically around 17 bar
Density: 1.539 g/l at 0C, 1 atmosphere pressure
Explosion limits: Lower: 4.3%; upper: 46%

Principal hazards

*** Hydrogen sulphide is very toxic.
*** Your ability to detect this gas via smell rapidly diminishes upon exposure, so you may be exposed to dangerously high concentrations without being aware of the danger.
*** Highly flammable - hydrogen sulphide readily forms explosive mixtures with air.

Safe handling

Wear safety glasses. Good ventilation is essential - this gas must be used only in a fume hood.

Emergency

Eye contact: Immediately flush the eye with plenty of water. Call for medical help.
Skin contact: Wash off with plenty of soap and water. Remove any contaminated clothing. If the skin reddens or appears damaged, call for medical aid.
If inhaled: Remove from exposure to the gas and call for immediate medical help. This chemical is very toxic - a single breath of gas containing 0.1% of hydrogen sulphide may cause coma. In addition, your sense of smell (which may initially detect hydrogen sulphide at levels well below 1 part per million) will rapidly be dulled by exposure to the gas. As a result, you might seriously underestimate the concentration of gas in the air.

Disposal

Small amounts of hydrogen sulphide can be vented through a fume cupboard, unless local rules prohibit this. Be aware, however, that the detection limit is very low, and if you release more than tiny amounts of the gas those working in surrounding buildings may be exposed to the unpleasant smell. Where possible, you should chemically destroy hydrogen sulphide rather than release it into the environment.

Protective equipment

Wear safety glasses; work in a good fume cuopboard.

Further information

Hydrogen sulphide
Chemicals in the HSci database
More extensive safety data

Link to the Oxford HSci web site
Oxford, January 2, 2004

Common synonyms	Hydrogen sulfide, sewer gas, stink gas, rotten eggs smell, sulfureted hydrogen
Formula	H₂S
Physical properties	Form: colourless gas with a strong smell of rotten eggs Stability: Stable, but highly flammable Melting point: -85 C Boiling point: -60 C Cylinder pressure: typically around 17 bar Density: 1.539 g/l at 0C, 1 atmosphere pressure Explosion limits: Lower: 4.3%; upper: 46%
Principal hazards	* Hydrogen sulphide is very toxic. * Your ability to detect this gas via smell rapidly diminishes upon exposure, so you may be exposed to dangerously high concentrations without being aware of the danger. *** Highly flammable - hydrogen sulphide readily forms explosive mixtures with air.
Safe handling	Wear safety glasses. Good ventilation is essential - this gas must be used only in a fume hood.
Emergency	Eye contact: Immediately flush the eye with plenty of water. Call for medical help. Skin contact: Wash off with plenty of soap and water. Remove any contaminated clothing. If the skin reddens or appears damaged, call for medical aid. If inhaled: Remove from exposure to the gas and call for immediate medical help. This chemical is very toxic - a single breath of gas containing 0.1% of hydrogen sulphide may cause coma. In addition, your sense of smell (which may initially detect hydrogen sulphide at levels well below 1 part per million) will rapidly be dulled by exposure to the gas. As a result, you might seriously underestimate the concentration of gas in the air.
Disposal	Small amounts of hydrogen sulphide can be vented through a fume cupboard, unless local rules prohibit this. Be aware, however, that the detection limit is very low, and if you release more than tiny amounts of the gas those working in surrounding buildings may be exposed to the unpleasant smell. Where possible, you should chemically destroy hydrogen sulphide rather than release it into the environment.
Protective equipment	Wear safety glasses; work in a good fume cuopboard.
Further information	Hydrogen sulphide Chemicals in the HSci database More extensive safety data