User:Milton Beychok/Sandbox: Difference between revisions
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Hydrogen sulfide is a highly [[toxic]] and flammable gas ([[flammability range]]: 4. | Hydrogen sulfide is a highly [[toxic]] and flammable gas ([[flammability range]]: 4.0 to 46 volume % in air).<ref name=ChemInfo>[http://www.ccohs.ca/products/databases/samples/cheminfo.html CCOHS Chemical Name: Hydrogen sulfide] From the website of the [[Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety]] (CCOHS)<ref> It is heavier than air and tends to accumulate at the bottom of poorly ventilated, confined spaces. | ||
Hydrogen sulfide and oxygen burn to form [[sulfur dioxide]] (SO<sub>2</sub>) and water. In general, hydrogen sulfide acts as a [[reducing agent]]. | Hydrogen sulfide and oxygen burn to form [[sulfur dioxide]] (SO<sub>2</sub>) and water. In general, hydrogen sulfide acts as a [[reducing agent]]. | ||
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==Toxicity== | ==Toxicity== | ||
Hydrogen sulfide is considered a broad-spectrum poison, meaning that it can poison several different systems in the body, although the [[nervous system]] is most affected:<ref>[http://www.extension.iastate.edu/Publications/PM1963A.pdf Odor perception and physiological response]</ref><ref>{{cite book|author=Peter D. Bryson|title=Comprehensive Review In Toxicology For Emergency Clinicians|edition=Third Edition|publisher=Taylor and Francis|date=September 1996|pages=p. 368|id=ISBN 1-56032-612-3}}</ref> | Hydrogen sulfide is considered a broad-spectrum poison, meaning that it can poison several different systems in the body, although the [[nervous system]] is most affected:<ref>[http://www.extension.iastate.edu/Publications/PM1963A.pdf Odor perception and physiological response]</ref><ref>{{cite book|author=Peter D. Bryson|title=Comprehensive Review In Toxicology For Emergency Clinicians|edition=Third Edition|publisher=Taylor and Francis|date=September 1996|pages=p. 368|id=ISBN 1-56032-612-3}}</ref><ref name=ChemInfo/> | ||
* 0.00047 [[parts-per notation|ppmv]] is the recognition threshold, the concentration at which 50% of humans can detect the characteristic foul odor of hydrogen sulfide. | * 0.00047 [[parts-per notation|ppmv]] is the recognition threshold, the concentration at which 50% of humans can detect the characteristic foul odor of hydrogen sulfide. |
Revision as of 19:12, 2 March 2011
Hydrogen Sulfide
Hydrogen sulfide (or hydrogen sulphide) is a chemical compound with the formula H2S. It is a colorless, highly toxic, flammable gas with a characteristic foul odor.
Hydrogen sulfide is present in very large amounts in raw natural gas and also occurs in large amounts during the refining of petroleum crude oil. In fact, the vast majority of the 66,000,000 metric tons of elemental sulfur produced worldwide in 2006 was by-product sulfur from petroleum refining and natural gas processing plants.[1] It is also present in volcanic gases and some water well sources
It also occurs in swamps and sewers as a result of the bacterial breakdown of organic matter in the absence of oxygen, which is known as anaerobic digestion.
Chemical properties
|
Hydrogen sulfide is a highly toxic and flammable gas (flammability range: 4.0 to 46 volume % in air).Cite error: Closing </ref>
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tag When it is in solution in water, the H2S forms a weak acid (sometimes referred to as hydrosulfuric acid) containing hydrosulfide and sulfide ions (HS− and S2−). The solubility is further enhanced in alkaline solutions due to increased ionization.
Hydrogen sulfide reacts with metal ions to form metal sulfides, which may be considered the salts of hydrogen sulfide. Some minerals are sulfides.
Hydrogen sulfide reacts with alcohols to form thiols.
Toxicity
Hydrogen sulfide is considered a broad-spectrum poison, meaning that it can poison several different systems in the body, although the nervous system is most affected:[4][5][6]
- 0.00047 ppmv is the recognition threshold, the concentration at which 50% of humans can detect the characteristic foul odor of hydrogen sulfide.
- At 100 – 150 ppmv, the olfactory nerve is paralyzed after a few inhalations, and the sense of smell disappears, often together with awareness of danger.
- At 200 ppmv, the central nervous system is depressed.
- At 500 ppmv, the cardiovascular system is depressed.
- At 1000 ppmv, the central nervous system is paralyzed and death occurs.
References
- ↑ Sulfur production report by the United States Geological Survey
- ↑ Carl L. Yaws (June 25, 2001). Matheson Gas Data Handbook, 7th Edition. McGraw-Hill. ISBN 0-07-135851-4.
- ↑ Air Liquide Gas Encyclopedia
- ↑ Odor perception and physiological response
- ↑ Peter D. Bryson (September 1996). Comprehensive Review In Toxicology For Emergency Clinicians, Third Edition. Taylor and Francis, p. 368. ISBN 1-56032-612-3.
- ↑ Cite error: Invalid
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