A Critical Review of the Literature on Hydrogen Sulfide Toxicity

Abstract

The information available on the biological activity of hydrogen sulfide has been examined for present status of critical results pertaining to the toxicity of hydrogen sulfide. This review of the literature is intended as an evaluative report rather than an annotated bibliography of all the source material examined on hydrogen sulfide. The information was selected as it might relate to potential toxic effects of hydrogen sulfide to man and summarized, noting information gaps that may require further investigation. Several recommendations are listed for possible consideration for either toxicological research or additional short- and long-term tests. Two bibliographies have been provided to assist in locating references considered in this report: (1) literature examined but not cited and (2) reference citations. The majority of the references in the first bibliography were considered peripheral information and less appropriate for inclusion in this report.

Case files of the university of cincinnati fellowship in medical toxicology: Two patients with acute lethal occupational exposure to hydrogen sulfide

“…Finally, a methylation pathway is involved in the production as well as the metabolism of hydrogen sulfide. Depending on the clinical scenario, a cycle of endogenous production as well as exogenous hydrogen sulfide detoxification aligns in a delicate balance to produce physiologic or pathologic symptoms [1,[13][14][15][16].…”

“…The primary route of toxicity is through inhalation [1,[3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16]. Gastrointestinal and dermal absorption is negligible [14,16,17].…”

“…Loss of consciousness occurs with inhalational exposures to 500-1000 ppm H 2 S [1, [14][15][16]18]. Death occurs primarily as a result of central respiratory arrest [1,[13][14][15][16]. Mortality rates of 6-8% in acute hydrogen sulfide poisoning have been reported from a series of 152 patients in China [15,20].…”

“…Permanent blindness may result from chronic exposures, but it is unlikely [14,16,22]. The characteristic warning, "rotten egg" odor, abates with persistent exposure to levels above 100 ppm due to olfactory fatigue [1,9,13,14,16,17,21].…”

“…The initial pulmonary response to a subacute hydrogen sulfur exposure is carotid body-mediated hyperpnea [1,13]. Continued exposure may result in non-cardiogenic pulmonary edema and central respiratory arrest [1,13,14,16].…”