What is the smell of hydrogen sulfide description. The influence of hydrogen sulfide on the human body. Hydrogen sulfide and its effect on the body. Hydrogen sulfide is found in blood vessels

- (hydrogen sulphide) H2S, a colorless gas with the smell of rotten eggs; m.p.? 85.54. C, tboil? 60.35. C; at 0 .C it liquefies under a pressure of 1 MPa. Reducing agent. A by-product of refining petroleum products, coking coal, etc .; formed by decomposition ... ... Big Encyclopedic Dictionary

- (H2S), a colorless, poisonous gas with the smell of rotten eggs. Formed in decay processes, found in crude oil. Obtained by the action of sulfuric acid on metal sulfides. Used in traditional QUALITATIVE ANALYSIS. Properties: temperature ... ... Scientific and technical encyclopedic dictionary

HYDROGEN SULFUR, hydrogen sulfide, many others. no, husband. (chem.). Gas produced by decay of proteinaceous substances, giving off the smell of rotten eggs. Ushakov's explanatory dictionary. D.N. Ushakov. 1935 1940 ... Ushakov's Explanatory Dictionary

HYDROGEN SULFUR, ah, husband. A colorless gas with a pungent unpleasant odor, formed during the decomposition of protein substances. | adj. hydrogen sulfide, oh, oh. Ozhegov's Explanatory Dictionary. S.I. Ozhegov, N.Yu. Shvedova. 1949 1992 ... Ozhegov's Explanatory Dictionary

Sush., Number of synonyms: 1 gas (55) ASIS synonym dictionary. V.N. Trishin. 2013 ... Synonym dictionary

Colorless poisonous gas H2S with an unpleasant specific odor. It has slightly acidic properties. 1 liter of C. at t 0 ° C and a pressure of 760 mm is 1.539 g. It is found in oils, in natural waters, in gases of biochemical origin, as ... ... Geological encyclopedia

HYDROGEN SULFUR- HYDROGEN SULFUR, H2S (molecular weight 34.07), a colorless gas with a characteristic smell of rotten eggs. A liter of gas under normal conditions (0 °, 760 mm) weighs 1.5392 g. Temp, boiling point 62 °, melting point 83 °; S. is a part of gaseous emissions ... ... Great medical encyclopedia

hydrogen sulfide- - Topics of biotechnology EN hydrogen sulfide ... Technical translator's guide

hydrogen sulfide- HYDROGEN SULFUR, a, m Colorless gas with a pungent unpleasant odor, formed during the decomposition of protein substances and is a combination of sulfur with hydrogen. Hydrogen sulfide is contained in some mineral waters and therapeutic muds and is used ... ... Explanatory dictionary of Russian nouns

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Hydrogen sulfide (hydrogen sulphide) is a gas that is harmful to health in large quantities, that is, leads to poisoning. This gas is colorless, but it has a specific smell (rotten eggs). It should be noted that hydrogen sulfide is widespread in nature. It is also found in the human body and participates in the processes taking place in it.

Why is hydrogen sulfide dangerous for humans? What effect does it have on the human body? What are the symptoms of sulfur poisoning and how to provide first aid to the victim?

Sources of hydrogen sulfide

There are many sources of hydrogen sulfide - they are constantly found in nature, in everyday life, and especially in production. Let's consider each group of sources in more detail.

In nature, gas is found in:

• Mud springs;
• Sea water;
• Oil and gas fields;
• Mineral springs;
• Volcanic rocks.

In everyday life, this gas is more often found where the rotting of protein foods and vital activity occurs. The unpleasant smell of hydrogen sulfide can be found in the kitchen and in the washroom (sewers, food waste containers, refrigerators, etc.).

A large amount of sulfur odor accumulates in the cesspools, which is why attempts to clean them on their own lead to severe poisoning.

You can meet with hydrogen sulfide in the following industrial sectors:

• Oil and gas producing enterprises;
• Water and wastewater treatment;
• Asphalt and pig iron production;
• Mining enterprises (mines).

The effect of hydrogen sulfide on the body

It should be noted that hydrogen sulfide has not only negative but also positive effects on the body.

Hydrogen sulfide takes part in the body's vital processes and is even produced by its own cells. Therefore, it is constantly present in the body, but its concentration is minimal.

The positive effect of hydrogen sulfide (at low concentration) on the body is as follows:

• Improves the transmission of nerve impulses;
• Relieves muscle spasm;
• Increases the lumen of blood vessels (which is the prevention of hypertension);
• Functioning of the brain, that is, it improves memory and assimilation of new information.

If the concentration of hydrogen sulphide increases significantly, then pathological changes occur:

• Destruction of hemoglobin in the blood;
• Paralysis of the olfactory nerves;
• Development of severe hypoxia, that is, oxygen starvation of internal organs. In this regard, the work of the heart, brain and blood vessels is disrupted. In some cases, the death of the victim is noted.

Symptoms of hydrogen sulfide poisoning in humans

The clinical picture of sulfur poisoning depends on the concentration of the toxic substance and the duration of its effect on the body. The gas penetrates through the upper respiratory tract and human skin.

Allocate 3 degrees of severity of hydrogen sulfide poisoning:

First aid for poisoning

First aid should be started immediately after detecting signs of hydrogen sulfide poisoning in the victim. At the same time, call an ambulance.

First aid for hydrogen sulfide poisoning is to carry out the following measures:

• Stop the effect of the poisonous substance on the body... That is, the victim should be taken out or taken out to fresh air. In this case, the caregiver must protect his respiratory tract from the ingress of gas (put on a respirator, a gauze bandage soaked in water, and so on);
• Unbutton tight clothing, remove belt and tie;

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It should be noted that in case of intoxication with hydrogen sulfide, it is forbidden to use ammonia! It contributes to the deterioration of the patient's condition and the development of chemical burns of the mucous membranes. If the patient is unconscious, chlorine solution can be used (let the patient inhale).

Hydrogen sulfide has an antidote. It's methylene blue. This substance is given intravenously. It promotes the rapid breakdown and elimination of the toxic substance from the body.

Recovery from poisoning

In case of intoxication with hydrogen sulfide, it is necessary to consult a doctor in any case, even with mild intoxication, since the consequences can be quite serious.

Patients with more severe poisoning should be hospitalized in the toxicology department of the hospital, where symptomatic therapy for complete recovery of the body:

• Anticonvulsant therapy (Seduxen, Relanium);
• Conjunctivitis treatment;
• Elimination of cardiovascular insufficiency;
• Relief of the general condition (elimination of headaches, drowsiness);
• Anti-shock and intensive therapy according to indications.

Recovery of working capacity:

• In case of mild poisoning, after 24 - 36 hours;
• In case of moderate poisoning in 4 - 5 weeks, provided that first aid is provided in a timely manner and full treatment is carried out;
• In case of severe poisoning, even partial restoration of working capacity does not always occur.

Consequences and complications after poisoning

Complications can appear immediately after poisoning or some time after it.

Early complications include:

Late consequences include various pathologies of internal organs.:

• Thyroid pathology. In this case, both hypofunction and hyperfunction are noted;
• Eczema... In this case, there is a chronic inflammation of the skin, in which periods of exacerbation and remission are traced (the period of time when there are no symptoms of the disease, and the patient is not worried about anything);
• Ischemic disease and myocardial infarction... Hydrogen sulfide negatively affects the heart muscle. In case of moderate and severe poisoning, significant damage occurs;
• Chronic headaches and meteosensitivity;
• Chronic pancreatitis- inflammation of the pancreas with periods of exacerbation and remission;
• Hepatitis- inflammation of the liver parenchyma;
• Encephalitis and meningitis (quite rare).

Residents of the capital are not the first time wondering why it smells like hydrogen sulfide. Complaints to Rospotrebnadzor, the Ministry of Emergency Situations and other authorities come from Muscovites on a regular basis. People suffer from the unpleasant aroma of either sour cabbage or rotten eggs, which arises in waves in various parts of the city, interferes with normal work and rest.

Emission sources:

In the process of searching for the source of the stench in the media, various versions appeared, some of them very unusual. So far, none have been confirmed:

• Cleaning works at landfills in Nekrasovka and Kuchino. To date, these versions have not been confirmed.
• Discharge at a meat processing plant on Volgogradsky Prospekt.
• Liquefaction of soil in the capital due to the movement of the Russian platform. Gases, including chemically aggressive gases, escape to the surface through faults from the very depths of the Earth. This is the opinion of the chief geologist of the party for regional geochemical studies of the VIMS branch, candidate of geological and mineralogical sciences Anatoly Pronin.
• A completely unusual version of the source of the emission is also being put forward on social networks. The process of active materialization of demonic entities. And the reason is ritual sacrifices. By the way, this version is also supported by the fact that eyewitnesses noted the smell of sauerkraut and burnt bones, rather than hydrogen sulfide. This is what causes the smell of sulfur and rotten cabbage, as well as sharp fluctuations in the weather (in a matter of hours, for example).

So what is hydrogen sulfide? Where does it come from and is it safe for humans?

Characteristics of hydrogen sulfide

Hydrogen sulfide is a colorless gas that smells like rotten eggs. Formed during the decomposition of organic matter.

Hydrogen sulfide is heavier than air, but lighter than water, so it can accumulate in ditches, ravines, pits and polluted wells.

Chemical formula - H2S

Physical properties of hydrogen sulfide

Melting point - 85.5 ° C, boiling point - 60.7 ° C. It is thermally stable, but at temperatures above 400 ° C it decomposes into simple substances - S and H2.

When exposed to H2S, metals are coated with sulfur compounds. This does not only apply to the noble types of gold and platinum.

Sources of hydrogen sulfide

Natural sources:

• in small quantities in natural gas,
• is part of associated petroleum gas,
• as part of gaseous volcanic emissions,
• present in sulfur springs (Matsesta, Pyatigorsk),
• in the deep layers of sea water.

Hydrogen sulfide is formed where proteins containing cysteine ​​or methionine rot. Surprisingly, it is present in the intestinal gases of humans and mammals.

In large cities, as a rule, there are industries, the by-product of which is hydrogen sulfide. These industries include oil and coal refineries, wastewater treatment, paint, cellophane, sugar, viscose, etc.

The effect of hydrogen sulfide on the human body

Hydrogen sulfide for humans in large quantities is a dangerous toxic chemical. This is a very insidious substance, since a person senses only small concentrations of gas in the air, and at a high concentration, the receptors cease to recognize it.

A small amount of hydrogen sulfide in the human body is constantly present, it is formed in the process of decay of proteins in the intestine.

Why is hydrogen sulfide dangerous?

Inhalation of high concentrations of H2S, as well as the introduction of large amounts of sulfur salts into the body, is detrimental to health. If the content of hydrogen sulfide in the air is 0.1%, a person dies in 10 minutes.

Hydrogen sulfide has a local and general effect on humans.

The general effect is manifested in the suppression and paralysis of cellular respiration.

This gas easily reacts with iron ions contained in hemoglobin molecules. As a result, iron sulfide is formed, while the blood turns black and loses the ability to transport oxygen.

Local effects are expressed by irritation of the conjunctiva, nasal mucosa, pharynx and respiratory tract. A person develops a burning sensation, lacrimation, coughing, hoarseness, and a fear of light may appear.

With prolonged exposure to hydrogen sulfide on the body, chronic conjunctivitis, eye inflammation, erosion and opacity of the cornea can develop, bronchitis, rhinitis, salivation and laryngitis occur.

Symptoms of hydrogen sulfide poisoning

Small but frequent exposures to hydrogen sulfide contribute to symptoms of chronic poisoning:

• anemia,
• weight loss,
• irritability, sleep disturbance, headaches,
• dyspepsia.

Poisoning stages and treatment

There are three stages of hydrogen sulfide poisoning.

In an easy stage, a surge of fresh air, rest, analgesics, vitamins with iron and eye drops with novocaine are enough for a person to recover.

In case of moderate or severe poisoning, when dizziness, cyanosis, vomiting, choking, irregular heart rhythm are observed, hospitalization and treatment with intravenous injections with mytilene blue or chromosmon are required.

In addition, with cyanosis, heart failure, heart rhythm disturbances, injections of caffeine, cordamine, norepinephrine are given. In a coma, resuscitation therapy is performed.

How to measure the concentration of hydrogen sulfide?

It is very easy to measure the amount of hydrogen sulfide in the air of your apartment by installing a small device called ANKAT-7631 at home. The device is adjusted so that when the gas norm is exceeded, a sound signal is issued.

In addition, you can invite special services to measure hydrogen sulfide in the indoor air.

Hydrogen sulfide treatment

Hydrogen sulfide is dangerous only in high concentrations, in small doses it is even useful and used in medicine. Often, doctors prescribe hydrogen sulfide baths during therapy, do not be afraid - they are useful and absolutely safe.

Hydrogen sulfide is simply necessary for the course of certain physiological processes, for example, the work of the heart and blood vessels, an important element for the nervous system and memory, promotes erection, is a good antispasmodic.

The body's production of hydrogen sulfide is genetically programmed. If there is a mutation of the gene responsible for this process, then diseases such as hypertension, atherosclerosis, Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease may appear.

The study of the effect of hydrogen sulfide on the body, begun back in 1998, is still ongoing, since many of the mechanisms of its effect have not been fully disclosed. But it is already reliably known that hydrogen sulfide is involved in the processes of vasodilation and the transmission of nerve impulses.

Why does the water smell like hydrogen sulfide?

There are hydrogen sulphide springs that can be used to extract water. Bottled water spilled from such sources may smell of hydrogen sulfide.

Is a colorless gas with a rather specific aroma, reminiscent of the smell of rotten eggs. The chemical formula of the substance is H2S. The gas also has other names: hydrogen sulphide and hydrogen sulfide.

H2S is highly flammable and, in combination with oxygen, forms hazardous explosive mixtures. The gas is very poorly soluble in water, so ethanol is used to break it down.

When interacting with strong oxidants, hydrogen sulfide can be converted to sulfuric acid or sulfur dioxide.

Hydrogen sulfide: properties and scope

The properties of H2S allow it to be used in a wide variety of industries.

In the process of use, an impressive part of the hydrogen sulfide is released into the atmosphere. This contributes to the rapid pollution of the environment, as well as air poisoning.

Gas can also be formed naturally. For example, during the decay of natural substances, which include sulfur, or in the process of decomposition of proteins of dead plants and living organisms.

Hydrogen sulfide is a part of most mineral springs, therefore, quite often in resort areas and sanatoriums, you can feel the characteristic unpleasant smell of gas. Among other things, natural hydrogen sulfide can be found in volcanoes, wells, or just deep pits.

In cities, hydrogen sulfide is most often found in sewers and landfills, because rotting food waste actively emit this gas. It is also a product of aeration stations.

Why hydrogen sulfide is dangerous for the human body

H2S is an extremely toxic gas that has a negative effect on the human nervous system. Hydrogen sulfide belongs to the third class on the scale of hazard to the body. Therefore, you should take this fact into account every time you smell the distinct smell of "rotten eggs". The greatest danger is that the gas dulls the sense of smell and, because of this, the person ceases to distinguish between toxic fumes. That is why toxin poisoning can come unexpectedly.

The lethal dose of hydrogen sulfide in the air is only 0.1%, but even such a small amount of gas can lead to death in less than 10 minutes. If its content level is higher, then death can occur from one inhalation. For comparison, the concentration of H2S in the sewage system is 16%.

The main signs of toxic gas poisoning are:

• pulmonary edema,
• severe cramps
• nervous paralysis
• coma.

If the gas content in the atmosphere is from 0.02%, then this will not lead to sad consequences, but, nevertheless, the symptoms will be pronounced: severe headaches, nausea, frequent dizziness.

People who live or work near factories that release hydrogen sulfide into the air suffer from chronic poisoning. With such a long stay in proximity with H2S, symptoms such as fainting, rapid weight loss, metallic taste in the mouth, blurred vision, photophobia appear.

In order to cure gas poisoning, it is urgent to take all the necessary measures. It is best to transport the victim to nature as soon as possible, where the air is maximally enriched with oxygen. From medicines, analgesics, glucose, vitamins and iron-containing preparations will help.

We recommend not to bring the situation to such a critical state. If the H2S content is calculated in a timely manner, then dangerous poisoning can be avoided. For this, it is recommended to carry out an environmental survey of the apartment as soon as possible. The company "Ecobalans" provides services for the determination of hydrogen sulfide content in apartments, offices and other premises. Provide yourself and your family with safe air!

Hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) is a colorless gas that smells like rotten eggs. It is heavier than hydrogen in density. Hydrogen sulfide is deadly poisonous to humans and animals. Even its insignificant content in the air causes dizziness and nausea, but the worst thing is that with prolonged inhalation, this smell is no longer felt. However, in case of hydrogen sulfide poisoning, there is a simple antidote: a piece of bleach should be wrapped in a handkerchief, then moistened and sniffed for a while. Hydrogen sulfide is produced by the interaction of sulfur with hydrogen at a temperature of 350 ° C:

H₂ + S → H₂S

This is a redox reaction: during it, the oxidation states of the elements involved in it change.

Under laboratory conditions, hydrogen sulfide is obtained by acting on iron sulfide with sulfuric or hydrochloric acid:

FeS + 2HCl → FeCl₂ + H₂S

This is an exchange reaction: in it, the interacting substances exchange their ions. This process is usually carried out using the Kipp apparatus.

Hydrogen sulfide properties

When hydrogen sulfide burns, sulfur oxide 4 and water vapor are formed:

2H₂S + 3О₂ → 2Н₂О + 2SO₂

H₂S burns with a bluish flame, and if you hold an inverted beaker over it, then transparent condensation (water) will appear on its walls.

However, with a slight decrease in temperature, this reaction proceeds somewhat differently: a yellowish bloom of free sulfur will appear on the walls of a pre-cooled glass:

2H₂S + О₂ → 2Н₂О + 2S

The industrial method for producing sulfur is based on this reaction.

When igniting a previously prepared gaseous mixture of hydrogen sulfide and oxygen, an explosion occurs.

The reaction of hydrogen sulfide and sulfur (IV) oxide also allows you to get free sulfur:

2H₂S + SО₂ → 2Н₂О + 3S

Hydrogen sulfide is soluble in water, and three volumes of this gas can dissolve in one volume of water, forming a weak and unstable hydrosulfuric acid (HS). This acid is also called hydrogen sulphide water. As you can see, the formulas for hydrogen sulfide gas and hydrogen sulfide acid are written in the same way.

If a solution of lead salt is added to hydrogen sulfide acid, a black precipitate of lead sulfide will form:

H₂S + Pb (NO₃) ₂ → PbS + 2HNO₃

This is a qualitative reaction for detecting hydrogen sulfide. It also demonstrates the ability of hydrogen sulfide acid to enter into exchange reactions with salt solutions. Thus, any soluble lead salt is a reagent for hydrogen sulfide. Some other metal sulfides also have a characteristic color, for example: zinc sulfide ZnS - white, cadmium sulfide CdS - yellow, copper sulfide CuS - black, antimony sulfide Sb₂S₃ - red.

By the way, hydrogen sulfide is an unstable gas and when heated, it almost completely decomposes into hydrogen and free sulfur:

H₂S → Н₂ + S

Hydrogen sulfide interacts intensively with aqueous solutions of halogens:

H₂S + 4Cl₂ + 4H₂O → H₂SO₄ + 8HCl

Hydrogen sulfide in nature and human life

Hydrogen sulfide is a part of volcanic gases, natural gas and gases associated with oil fields. There is a lot of it in natural mineral waters, for example, in the Black Sea, it lies at a depth of 150 meters and below.

Hydrogen sulfide is used:

• in medicine (treatment with hydrogen sulfide baths and mineral waters);
• in industry (production of sulfur, sulfuric acid and sulfides);
• in analytical chemistry (for the precipitation of heavy metal sulfides, which are usually insoluble);
• in organic synthesis (for the production of sulfur analogs of organic alcohols (mercaptans) and thiophene (a sulfur-containing aromatic hydrocarbon). Another of the recently emerging areas in science is hydrogen sulfide energy. Energy production from hydrogen sulfide deposits from the bottom of the Black Sea is seriously studied.

The nature of the redox reactions of sulfur and hydrogen

The reaction of hydrogen sulfide formation is redox:

Н₂⁰ + S⁰ → H₂⁺S²⁻

The process of interaction of sulfur with hydrogen is easily explained by the structure of their atoms. Hydrogen takes the first place in the periodic system, therefore, the charge of its atomic nucleus is equal to (+1), and 1 electron is circling around the nucleus of the atom. Hydrogen easily gives up its electron to the atoms of other elements, turning into a positively charged hydrogen ion - a proton:

Н⁰ -1е⁻ = Н⁺

Sulfur is at the sixteenth position in the periodic table. This means that the charge of the nucleus of its atom is (+16), and the number of electrons in each atom is also 16e⁻. The location of sulfur in the third period suggests that its sixteen electrons circle around the atomic nucleus, forming 3 layers, the last of which has 6 valence electrons. The number of valence electrons of sulfur corresponds to the number of group VI, in which it is located in the periodic system.

So, sulfur can donate all six valence electrons, as in the case of the formation of sulfur oxide (VI):

2S⁰ + 3O2⁰ → 2S⁺⁶O₃⁻²

In addition, as a result of the oxidation of sulfur, 4e⁻ can be given by its atom to another element with the formation of sulfur (IV) oxide:

S⁰ + О2⁰ → S⁺4 O2⁻²

Sulfur can also donate two electrons to form sulfur (II) chloride:

S⁰ + Cl2⁰ → S⁺² Cl2⁻

In all three of the above reactions, sulfur donates electrons. Consequently, it oxidizes, but at the same time acts as a reducing agent for oxygen atoms O and chlorine Cl. However, in the case of the formation of H2S, oxidation is the lot of hydrogen atoms, since it is they who lose electrons, restoring the external energy level of sulfur from six electrons to eight. As a result, each hydrogen atom in its molecule becomes a proton:

Н2⁰-2е⁻ → 2Н⁺,

and the sulfur molecule, on the contrary, being reduced, turns into a negatively charged anion (S⁻²): S⁰ + 2е⁻ → S⁻²

Thus, in the chemical reaction of the formation of hydrogen sulfide, it is sulfur that acts as an oxidizing agent.

From the point of view of the manifestation of sulfur of various oxidation states, another interaction of sulfur (IV) oxide and hydrogen sulfide is also interesting - the reaction of obtaining free sulfur:

2H₂⁺S-² + S⁺⁴О₂-² → 2H₂⁺O-² + 3S⁰

As can be seen from the reaction equation, both the oxidizing agent and the reducing agent in it are sulfur ions. Two sulfur anions (2-) donate two of their electrons to the sulfur atom in the sulfur (II) oxide molecule, as a result of which all three sulfur atoms are reduced to free sulfur.

2S-² - 4е⁻ → 2S⁰ - reducing agent, oxidizes;

S⁺⁴ + 4е⁻ → S⁰ - oxidizing agent, reduced.