T H Milby1, R C Baselt. 1. Chemical Toxicology Institute, Foster City, California, USA. tmilby@aol.com
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Hydrogen sulfide is a toxic gas about which much has been written. We discuss here several issues we believe would benefit from further clarification. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that: 1) Certain neurotoxic effects of exposure are probably due to a direct toxic effect on the brain, while others are almost certainly a result of hypoxia secondary to H2S-induced respiratory insufficiency; 2) pulmonary edema is a common consequence of poisoning and there is suggestive evidence of hyperactive airway responses in some individuals following brief H2S-induced unconsciousness (knockdown); 3) criteria for acceptable community levels are very different than those governing occupational standards; 4) urinary thiosulfate determinations can be useful for monitoring occupational exposure; and 5) determination of sulfide ion concentrations in blood or major organs can be useful in corroborating a diagnosis of fatal H2S toxicity, but there are many pitfalls in collecting, storing, and analyzing tissue and fluid samples.
BACKGROUND:Hydrogen sulfide is a toxic gas about which much has been written. We discuss here several issues we believe would benefit from further clarification. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that: 1) Certain neurotoxic effects of exposure are probably due to a direct toxic effect on the brain, while others are almost certainly a result of hypoxia secondary to H2S-induced respiratory insufficiency; 2) pulmonary edema is a common consequence of poisoning and there is suggestive evidence of hyperactive airway responses in some individuals following brief H2S-induced unconsciousness (knockdown); 3) criteria for acceptable community levels are very different than those governing occupational standards; 4) urinary thiosulfate determinations can be useful for monitoring occupational exposure; and 5) determination of sulfide ion concentrations in blood or major organs can be useful in corroborating a diagnosis of fatal H2S toxicity, but there are many pitfalls in collecting, storing, and analyzing tissue and fluid samples.
Authors: R J Lewis; A R Schnatter; I Drummond; N Murray; F S Thompson; A M Katz; G Jorgensen; M J Nicolich; D Dahlman; G Thériault Journal: Occup Environ Med Date: 2003-12 Impact factor: 4.402