Hydrogen sulphide: general information
Updated 21 November 2024
© Crown copyright 2024
This publication is licensed under the terms of the Open Government Licence v3.0 except where otherwise stated. To view this licence, visit nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/3 or write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gov.uk.
Where we have identified any third party copyright information you will need to obtain permission from the copyright holders concerned.
This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/hydrogen-sulphide-properties-incident-management-and-toxicology/hydrogen-sulphide-general-information
Overview
Hydrogen sulphide is a colourless, flammable gas with a characteristic odour of rotten eggs.
Uses of hydrogen sulphide
Hydrogen sulphide is usually produced as an undesirable by-product, such as in the production of coke from sulphur-containing coal, the refining of sulphur-containing crude oils and from producing wood pulp. However, in some processes it is an important reagent or intermediate such as in the manufacture of sulphuric acid, inorganic sulphides and as an agricultural disinfectant.
How hydrogen sulphide gets into the environment
Hydrogen sulphide occurs both naturally and through human activity. It may be released from a number of human activities such as production of coke from sulphur-containing coal, the refining of sulphur-containing crude oils and from producing wood pulp.
Exposure to hydrogen sulphide
You may be exposed to hydrogen sulphide by breathing it in, or contact with the skin or eyes.
How exposure to hydrogen sulphide can affect your health
The presence of hydrogen sulphide in the environment does not always lead to exposure. Clearly, in order for it to cause any adverse health effects you must come into contact with it. You may be exposed by breathing it in, or contact with the skin or eyes. Following exposure to any chemical, the adverse health effects you may encounter depend on several factors, including the amount to which you are exposed (dose), the way in which you are exposed, the duration of exposure, the form of the chemical and if you were exposed to any other chemicals.
Health effects following inhalation of high concentrations of hydrogen sulphide may include collapse, inability to breathe, and death within minutes. A range of effects on the nervous and cardiovascular system may occur following single or repeated exposures to high hydrogen sulphide concentrations. Skin discolouration, pain, itching, skin redness and local frostbite may occur if skin is exposed to compressed hydrogen sulphide liquid. Eye exposure may cause irritation, inflammation, tearing, sensitivity to light and conjunctivitis.
Hydrogen sulphide and cancer
There is no evidence to suggest that exposure to hydrogen sulphide would cause cancer in humans.
Pregnancy and the unborn child
There is no evidence to suggest that exposure to hydrogen sulphide can affect the health of the unborn child.
Children
Children will be affected by hydrogen sulphide in the same way as adults, however because hydrogen sulphide is heavier than air and children are shorter than adults, children may be exposed to higher concentrations than adults
What to do if you are exposed to hydrogen sulphide
It is very unlikely that the general population will be exposed to a level of hydrogen sulphide high enough to cause adverse health effects.
The information contained in this document from the UKHSA Radiation, Chemicals and Environment Directorate is correct at the time of its publication.
Email chemcompendium@ukhsa.gov.uk if you have any questions about this guidance or enquiries@ukhsa.gov.uk if you have any other questions.
Feedback Survey
Help us improve the Compendium of Chemical Hazards by taking our short survey.