Hydrogen sulfide
RTECS #
MX1225000
CAS #
Updated
March 2019
Molecular Weight
34.08
Molecular Formula
H2S
Synonyms
Acide sulfhydrique (French)
Hydrogen sulfide (ACGIH:OSHA)
Hydrogen sulfuric acid
Hydrogen sulphide
Hydrogene sulfure (French)
Idrogeno solforato (Italian)
RCRA waste number U135
Schwefelwasserstoff (German)
Siarkowodor (Polish)
Stink DAMP
Sulfur hydride
Sulfureted hydrogen
Zwavelwaterstof (Dutch)
Hydrogen sulfide (ACGIH:OSHA)
Hydrogen sulfuric acid
Hydrogen sulphide
Hydrogene sulfure (French)
Idrogeno solforato (Italian)
RCRA waste number U135
Schwefelwasserstoff (German)
Siarkowodor (Polish)
Stink DAMP
Sulfur hydride
Sulfureted hydrogen
Zwavelwaterstof (Dutch)
Skin and Eye Irritation and References
| Route/Organism | Dose | Effect | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|
| eye /human | 0.000125 ppm/5H | TOXID9 66,103,2002 |
Reproductive Effects Data and References
| Route/Organism | Dose | Effect | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|
| inhalation/rat | 20 ppm (6-22D preg/21D after birth) | Reproductive: Effects on newborn: Physical | TIHEEC 6,389,1990 |
| inhalation/rat | 10 ppm (multigeneration)) | Reproductive: Effects on newborn: Behavioral | NETEEC 22,71,2000 |
| inhalation/rat | 30 ppm (multigeneration)) | Reproductive: Specific developmental abnormalities: Skin and skin appendages | NETEEC 22,71,2000 |
| inhalation/rat | 10 mg/m3 (48D prior to copulation/1-22D pregnant) | Reproductive: Effects on fertility: Pre- implantation mortality (e.g., reduction in number of implants per female; total number of implants per corpora lutea) Reproductive: Effects on fertility: Post- implantation mortality (e.g., dead and/or resorbed implants per total number of implants) Reproductive: Specific developmental abnormalities: Urogenital system | VCVN5* -,198,1989 |
Acute Toxicity Data and References
| Route/Organism | Dose | Effect | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|
| In Vitro/Rat, endocrine cell (tissues) | Inhibitor Concentration Low: 100 µmol/L | In Vitro Toxicity Studies: Membrane currents In Vitro Toxicity Studies: Other assays | TXCYAC 302,40,2012 |
| inhalation/Dog | Lowest published lethal concentration: 0.049 pph | VCVPS* -,20,1998 | |
| inhalation/human | Lowest published lethal concentration: 600 ppm/30M | 29ZWAE -,207,1968 | |
| inhalation/human | Lowest published lethal concentration: 800 ppm/5M | TABIA2 3,231,1933 | |
| inhalation/human | lowest published toxic concentration: 0.014 mg/m3 | Olfaction: Change in sensation of smell | VCVN5* -,194,1993 |
| inhalation/human | lowest published toxic concentration: 0.012 mg/m3 | Eye: Other eye effects | VCVN5* -,194,1993 |
| inhalation/human | lowest published toxic concentration: 1400 mg/m3/1M | Lung, Thorax, or Respiration: Other changes | VCVN5* -,195,1993 |
| inhalation/human | lowest published toxic concentration: 140 mg/m3 | Eye: Conjunctiva irritation | VCVN5* -,195,1993 |
| inhalation/human | lowest published toxic concentration: 225 mg/m3 | Olfaction: Change in olfactory nerve | VCVN5* -,195,1993 |
| inhalation/human | lowest published toxic concentration: 2800 mg/m3 | Behavioral: General anesthetic Behavioral: Tetany Lung, Thorax, or Respiration: Respiratory obstruction | VCVN5* -,195,1993 |
| inhalation/human | Lowest published lethal concentration: 1500 mg/m3 | Olfaction: Change in olfactory nerve Behavioral: General anesthetic Lung, Thorax, or Respiration: Acute pulmonary edema | VCVN5* -,195,1993 |
| inhalation/human | lowest published toxic concentration: 2 ppm/30M | Behavioral: Headache | TOXID9 44,302,2005 |
| inhalation/human | lowest published toxic concentration: 125 µg/m3/5H | Olfaction: Other olfaction effects Behavioral: Headache Gastrointestinal: Nausea or vomiting | TOXID9 66,103,2002 |
| inhalation/mammal (species unspecified) | lowest published toxic concentration: 150 mg/m3 | Eye: Conjunctiva irritation | VCVN5* -,194,1993 |
| inhalation/mammal (species unspecified) | Lowest published lethal concentration: 1350 mg/m3/1H | VCVN5* -,194,1993 | |
| inhalation/mammal (species unspecified) | Lowest published lethal concentration: 2250 mg/m3/15M | Vascular: BP lowering not characterized in autonomic section | VCVN5* -,194,1993 |
| inhalation/mammal (species unspecified) | Lowest published lethal concentration: 800 ppm/5M | AEPPAE 138,65,1928 | |
| inhalation/man | Lowest published lethal concentration: 5700 µg/kg | Behavioral: Coma Lung, Thorax, or Respiration: Chronic pulmonary edema or congestion | AMPMAR 44,483,1983 |
| inhalation/mouse | lethal concentration (50 percent kill): 634 ppm/1H | AMRL** TR-72-62,1972 | |
| inhalation/mouse | lethal concentration (50 percent kill): 1200 mg/m3/2H | VCVN5* -,193,1993 | |
| inhalation/rabbit | lowest published toxic concentration: 3 mg/m3 | VCVPS* -,20,1998 | |
| inhalation/rabbit | lowest published toxic concentration: 3 mg/m3 | Immunological Including Allergic: Uncharacterized (multiple organ involvement) | VCVPS* -,20,1998 |
| inhalation/rat | lowest published toxic concentration: 400 ppm/90M | Olfaction: Other olfaction effects Biochemical: Metabolism (intermediary): Other | TOXID9 44,192,2005 |
| inhalation/rat | Lowest published lethal concentration: 0.07 pph/3M | VCVPS* -,19,1998 | |
| inhalation/rat | lethal concentration (50 percent kill): 444 ppm | Lung, Thorax, or Respiration: Other changes Gastrointestinal: Hypermotility, diarrhea Kidney, Ureter, and Bladder: Urine volume increased | LacHB# 09JUN1978 |
| inhalation/rat | lethal concentration (50 percent kill): 820 mg/m3/3H | ENTOX* -,545,2005 | |
| inhalation/rat | lethal concentration (50 percent kill): 700 mg/m3/4H | ENTOX* -,545,2005 | |
| inhalation/rat | lethal concentration (50 percent kill): 470 mg/m3/6H | ENTOX* -,545,2005 | |
| inhalation/rat | lowest published toxic concentration: 200 ppm/4H | Lung, Thorax, or Respiration: Acute pulmonary edema | TOXID9 44,302,2005 |
| inhalation/rat | Lowest published lethal concentration: 504 ppm/1H | TOXID9 44,302,2005 | |
| inhalation/rat | lethal concentration (50 percent kill): 444 ppm/4H | HPV297 -,-,2001 | |
| intraperitoneal/mouse | lethal dose (50 percent kill): 15.336 mg/kg | TXCYAC 242,16,2007 | |
| intraperitoneal/mouse | lethal dose (65 percent kill): 18.4 mg/kg | TXCYAC 242,16,2007 | |
| intraperitoneal/mouse | lethal dose (85 percent kill): 21.5 mg/kg | TXCYAC 242,16,2007 |
Other Multiple Dose Data and References
| Route/Organism | Dose | Effect | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|
| inhalation/Dog | lowest published toxic concentration: 60 mg/m3/26W- intermittent | Gastrointestinal: Alteration in gastric secretion | VCVPS* -,21,1998 |
| inhalation/mouse | lowest published toxic concentration: 80 ppm/6H/90D- intermittent | Nutritional and Gross Metabolic: Weight loss or decreased weight gain Related to Chronic Data: Death in the "MULTIPLE DOSE" data type field | TOXID9 3,63,1983 |
| inhalation/mouse | lowest published toxic concentration: 150 mg/m3/2H/16D- intermittent | Biochemical: Enzyme inhibition, induction, or change in blood or tissue levels: Cytochrome oxidases (indlucing oxidative phosphrylation) | VCVN5* -,197,1989 |
| inhalation/mouse | lowest published toxic concentration: 80 ppm/90D- intermittent | Nutritional and Gross Metabolic: Weight loss or decreased weight gain | HPV297 -,-,2001 |
| inhalation/rabbit | lowest published toxic concentration: 60 mg/m3/26W- intermittent | Endocrine: Adrenal cortex hypoplasia Blood: Luekopenia Liver: Other changes | VCVPS* -,21,1998 |
| inhalation/rabbit | lowest published toxic concentration: 105 mg/m3/90M/5D- intermittent | Cardiac: EKG changes not diagnostic of above | VCVN5* -,197,1989 |
| inhalation/rabbit | lowest published toxic concentration: 40 mg/m3/5H/30W- intermittent | Eye: Conjunctiva irritation | VEOFA6 78(1),36,1965 |
| inhalation/rabbit | lowest published toxic concentration: 16 pph/39W- intermittent | Brain and Coverings: Other degenerative changes | VCVPS* -,21,1998 |
| inhalation/rat | lowest published toxic concentration: 3 mg/m3/39W- intermittent | Brain and Coverings: Other degenerative changes | VCVPS* -,21,1998 |
| inhalation/rat | lowest published toxic concentration: 16 pph/26W- intermittent | Brain and Coverings: Other degenerative changes | VCVPS* -,21,1998 |
| inhalation/rat | lowest published toxic concentration: 30 ppm/6H/10W- intermittent | Olfaction: Change in olfactory nerve Olfaction: Other olfaction effects | TOPADD 27,697,1999 |
| inhalation/rat | lowest published toxic concentration: 1200 mg/m3/2H/5D- intermittent | Brain and Coverings: Other degenerative changes Biochemical: Enzyme inhibition, induction, or change in blood or tissue levels: True cholinesterase | GTPZAB 14(1),54,1970 |
| inhalation/rat | lowest published toxic concentration: 100 ppm/8H/5W- intermittent | Brain and Coverings: Other degenerative changes Lung, Thorax, or Respiration: Other changes Biochemical: Enzyme inhibition, induction, or change in blood or tissue levels: Cytochrome oxidases (indlucing oxidative phosphrylation) | TOXID9 13,270,1993 |
| inhalation/rat | lowest published toxic concentration: 80 ppm/6H/90D- intermittent | Brain and Coverings: Changes in brain weight Nutritional and Gross Metabolic: Weight loss or decreased weight gain | TOXID9 3,63,1983 |
| inhalation/rat | lowest published toxic concentration: 125 ppm/4H/11W- intermittent | Behavioral: Alteration of operant conditioning Behavioral: Change in psychophysiological tests | NRTXDN 22,177,2001 |
| inhalation/rat | lowest published toxic dose: 80 ppm/3H/5D- intermittent | Behavioral: Change in motor activity (specific assay) | NRTXDN 22,375,2001 |
| inhalation/rat | lowest published toxic dose: 200 ppm/3H/5D- intermittent | Nutritional and Gross Metabolic: Body temperature decrease | NRTXDN 22,375,2001 |
| inhalation/rat | lowest published toxic dose: 400 ppm/3H/5D- intermittent | Related to Chronic Data: Death in the "MULTIPLE DOSE" data type field Behavioral: Alteration of operant conditioning Behavioral: Change in psychophysiological tests | NRTXDN 22,375,2001 |
| inhalation/rat | lowest published toxic concentration: 80 ppm/7D- intermittent | Behavioral: Food intake (animal) | NETEEC 22,71,2000 |
| inhalation/rat | lowest published toxic concentration: 3 mg/m3/17W- intermittent | Immunological Including Allergic: Decrease in humoral immune response | VCVPS* -,21,1998 |
| inhalation/rat | lowest published toxic concentration: 60 mg/m3/26W- intermittent | Endocrine: Adrenal cortex hypoplasia Blood: Luekopenia Liver: Other changes | VCVPS* -,21,1998 |
| inhalation/rat | lowest published toxic concentration: 10 mg/m3/12H/8W- intermittent | Peripheral Nerve and Sensation: Recording from peripheral motor nerve Lung, Thorax, or Respiration: Structural or functional change in trachea or bronchi Nutritional and Gross Metabolic: Weight loss or decreased weight gain | VCVN5* -,197,1989 |
| inhalation/rat | lowest published toxic concentration: 30 ppm/90D- intermittent | Olfaction: Other olfaction effects Biochemical: Metabolism (intermediary): Effect on inflammation or mediation of inflammation | TXAPA9 198,29,2004 |
| inhalation/rat | lowest published toxic concentration: 80 ppm/1W- intermittent | Behavioral: Food intake (animal) | TXAPA9 198,29,2004 |
| inhalation/rat | lowest published toxic concentration: 80 ppm/90D- intermittent | Olfaction: Other olfaction effects Nutritional and Gross Metabolic: Weight loss or decreased weight gain Biochemical: Metabolism (intermediary): Effect on inflammation or mediation of inflammation | TXAPA9 198,29,2004 |
| inhalation/rat | lowest published toxic concentration: 80 ppm/90D- intermittent | Nutritional and Gross Metabolic: Weight loss or decreased weight gain | HPV297 -,-,2001 |
| intraperitoneal/rat | lowest published toxic dose: 2672 µg/kg/4W- continuous | Vascular: BP lowering not characterized in autonomic section Vascular: Structural changes in vessels Biochemical: Enzyme inhibition, induction, or change in blood or tissue levels: Phosphatases | ACPSI* 27,299,2006 |
| oral/human | lowest published toxic dose: 0.0811 mg/kg/7D- intermittent | Blood: Methemoglobinemia- Carboxhemoglobinemia Biochemical: Enzyme inhibition, induction, or change in blood or tissue levels: Dehydrogenases | FCTOD7 46,3343,2008 |
Reviews
| Organization | Standard | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH) | Threshold Limit Value-time-weighted average 1 ppm;short term exposure limit 5 ppm | DTLVS* TLV/BEI,2013 |
| TOXICOLOGY REVIEW | CMTVAS 10(3),49,1973 | |
| TOXICOLOGY REVIEW | JOCMA7 4,431,1962 | |
| TOXICOLOGY REVIEW | TOLED5 137,103,2003 | |
| TOXICOLOGY REVIEW | TPHSDY 24,609,2003 | |
| TOXICOLOGY REVIEW | DIMON* 46,551,2000 | |
| TOXICOLOGY REVIEW | ENTOX* -,545,2005 | |
| TOXICOLOGY REVIEW | HUTOX* -,661,1996 | |
| TOXICOLOGY REVIEW | TPHSDY 29,84,2008 | |
| TOXICOLOGY REVIEW | TPHSDY 29,361,2008 | |
| TOXICOLOGY REVIEW | AIRMJ* 21,46,2002 | |
| TOXICOLOGY REVIEW | NTAPM* -,617,1995 | |
| TOXICOLOGY REVIEW | NTAPM* -,629,1995 | |
| TOXICOLOGY REVIEW | MUREAV 776,70,2018 | |
| TOXICOLOGY REVIEW | RTOPDW 54,247,2009 | |
| TOXICOLOGY REVIEW | RTOPDW 54,294,2009 | |
| TOXICOLOGY REVIEW | VETODR ,215,2018 |
Standards and Regulations
| Organization | Standard | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) STANDARD-air | time-weighted average 10 ppm (15 mg/m3) | DTLVS* 3,132,1971 |
| Occupational Exposure Limit IN ARGENTINA, BULGARIA, COLOMBIA, JORDAN check ACGIH TLV; | ||
| Occupational Exposure Limit IN SINGAPORE, VIETNAM check ACGIH TLV | ||
| Occupational Exposure Limit-ARAB Republic of Egypt | time-weighted average 10 ppm (14 mg/m3), JAN1993 | |
| Occupational Exposure Limit-AUSTRIA | MAK-TMW 10 ppm (15 mg/m3);KZW 10 ppm (15 mg/m3), 2007 | |
| Occupational Exposure Limit-BELGIUM | time-weighted average 10 ppm (14 mg/m3), short term exposure limit 15 ppm (21 mg/m3), MAR2002 | |
| Occupational Exposure Limit-DENMARK | time-weighted average 10 ppm (15 mg/m3), MAY2011 | |
| Occupational Exposure Limit-FINLAND | time-weighted average 5 ppm (7 mg/m3), short term exposure limit 10 ppm (14 mg/m3), NOV2011 | |
| Occupational Exposure Limit-FRANCE | VME 5 ppm (7 mg/m3), VLE 10 ppm (14 mg/m3), FEB2006 | |
| Occupational Exposure Limit-GERMANY | MAK 5 ppm (7.1 mg/m3), 2011 | |
| Occupational Exposure Limit-HUNGARY | time-weighted average 14 mg/m3, short term exposure limit 14 mg/m3, SEP2000 | |
| Occupational Exposure Limit-ICELAND | time-weighted average 10 ppm (14 mg/m3), short term exposure limit 15 ppm (20 mg/m3), NOV2011 | |
| Occupational Exposure Limit-JAPAN | Occupational Exposure Limit 5 ppm (7 mg/m3), MAY2012 | |
| Occupational Exposure Limit-KOREA | time-weighted average 10 ppm (14 mg/m3), short term exposure limit 15 ppm (21 mg/m3), 2006 | |
| Occupational Exposure Limit-MEXICO | time-weighted average 10 ppm (14 mg/m3);short term exposure limit 15 ppm (21 mg/m3), 2004 | |
| Occupational Exposure Limit-NEW ZEALAND | time-weighted average 10 ppm (14 mg/m3); short term exposure limit 15 ppm (21 mg/m3), JAN2002 | |
| Occupational Exposure Limit-NORWAY | time-weighted average 10 ppm (15 mg/m3), JAN1999 | |
| Occupational Exposure Limit-PERU | time-weighted average 10 ppm (14 mg/m3); short term exposure limit 15 ppm (21 mg/m3), JUL2005 | |
| Occupational Exposure Limit-POLAND | MAC(time-weighted average) 10 mg/m3, MAC(short term exposure limit) 20 mg/m3, JAN1999 | |
| Occupational Exposure Limit-RUSSIA | short term exposure limit 10 mg/m3, JUN2003 | |
| Occupational Exposure Limit-SWEDEN | time-weighted average 10 ppm (14 mg/m3);short term exposure limit 15 ppm (20 mg/m3), JUN2005 | |
| Occupational Exposure Limit-SWITZERLAND | MAK-week 5 ppm (7.1 mg/m3), KZG-week 10 ppm (14.2 mg/m3), JAN2011 | |
| Occupational Exposure Limit-THAILAND | short term exposure limit 20 ppm, JAN1993 | |
| Occupational Exposure Limit-THE NETHERLANDS | MAC-TGG 15 mg/m3, 2003 | |
| Occupational Exposure Limit-THE PHILIPPINES | time-weighted average 10 ppm (15 mg/m3), JAN1993 | |
| Occupational Exposure Limit-TURKEY | time-weighted average 10 ppm (15 mg/m3), JAN1993 | |
| Occupational Exposure Limit-UNITED KINGDOM | time-weighted average 5 ppm (7 mg/m3);short term exposure limit 10 ppm (14 mg/m3), OCT2007 | |
| Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Permissible Exposure Limit (Construction) | 8H time-weighted average 10 ppm (15 mg/m3) | CFRGBR 29,1926.55,1994 |
| Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Permissible Exposure Limit (Federal Contractors) | 8H time-weighted average 10 ppm (15 mg/m3) | CFRGBR 41,50-204.50,1994 |
| Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Permissible Exposure Limit (General Industry) | ceiling concentration 20 ppm;Pk 50/10M | CFRGBR 29,1910.1000,1994 |
| Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Permissible Exposure Limit (Shipyards) | 8H time-weighted average 10 ppm (15 mg/m3) | CFRGBR 29,1915.1000,1993 |
NIOSH Documentation and Surveillance
| Organization | Standard | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Recommended Exposure Level TO HYDROGEN SULFIDE-air | ceiling concentration 10 ppm/10M | NIOSH* DHHS #92-100,1992 |
| National Occupational Exposure Survey 1983 | Hazard Code 38620; Number of Industries 31; Total Number of Facilities 1524; Number of Occupations 77; Total Number of Employees Exposed 94923; Total Number of Female Employees Exposed 6515 | |
| National Occupational Hazard Survey 1974 | Hazard Code 38620; Number of Industries 17; Total Number of Facilities 745; Number of Occupations 30; Total Number of Employees Exposed 15422 |
Status in Federal Agencies
Page last reviewed: November 16, 2018
Content
source: National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health