Hydrogen Sulfide: What to Know

Posted by georgehenr on March 27th, 2019

Hydrogen sulfide gas is a very common type of gas found nearly everywhere. It exists in our homes, our businesses, the places we eat and play and the locations where we conduct our family outings. Hydrogen sulfide is a gas that is a chemical compound with the formula H2S. This gas is a chalcogen hydride gas that has its most defining characteristic foul as a foul odor that resembles rotten eggs. This gas can be very dangerous when it is leaked in high concentrations, as the odor becomes more noticeable and strong. Hydrogen sulfide is a very poisonous gas that is also corrosive and even flammable. When hydrogen sulfide gas burns it can even produce other toxic vapors and gases like sulfur dioxide, which can also cause its own problems. Due to its highly toxic and flammable nature, hydrogen sulfide can be deadly in high concentrations. Because it often weighs more than the air itself the gas tends to collect in the bottom of rooms. The rotten egg smell, though highly noticeable at first, quickly becomes unnoticeable as the hydrogen sulfide dulls your sense of smell. Due to this, people may be unaware of the danger until it is too late.

While a hydrogen sulfide gas leak can be a very dangerous and even deadly situation, there are things that individuals can do to protect themselves from such an incident occurring. In case of a leak, the most important and wisest thing to do is to contact emergency aid workers and individuals who are affiliated with your city utility companies. You should never take it upon yourself to deal with a gas leak once it has already occurred. There are some steps that business and homeowners have taken to protect themselves, and these include the installation of safety equipment that detects the presence of dangerous gases. In the case of a hydrogen sulfide leak, there are H2S gas monitors available to the public. While these devices can be costly, they give the owner great peace of mind when it comes to feeling safe in the presence of dangerous gases. Hopefully, you never have to deal with a hydrogen sulfide leak. But in the worst-case scenario, keep in mind what hydrogen sulfide is, what it does and how to protect yourself.