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Hydrogen Sulfide

"Hydrogen sulfide is toxic to humans and most other animals by inhibiting cellular respiration in a manner similar to hydrogen cyanide. When it is inhaled or its salts are ingested in high amounts, damage to organs occurs rapidly with symptoms ranging from breathing difficulties to convulsions and death."    - Wikipedia

"Hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) is a colorless gas with a strong odor of rotten eggs. Exposure to hydrogen sulfide may cause irritation to the eyes and respiratory system. It can also cause apnea, coma, convulsions; dizziness, headache, weakness, irritability, insomnia; stomach upset, and if liquid: frostbite. Workers may be harmed from exposure to hydrogen sulfide. The level of exposure depends upon the dose, duration, and work being done. "   - CDC

"Studies suggest that in humans the respiratory tract and the nervous system are the most sensitive targets of hydrogen sulfide toxicity.  Exposure to low concentrations of hydrogen sulfide  may cause irritation to the eyes, nose, or throat. It may also cause difficulty breathing for some asthmatics.  Respiratory distress or arrest has been been observed in people exposed to very high concentrations of hydrogen sulfide. Exposure to low concentrations of hydrogen sulfide may cause headaches, poor memory, tiredness, and balance problems. Brief exposures to high concentrations of hydrogen sulfide can cause loss of consciousness. In most cases, the person appears to regain consciousness without any other effects. However, in some individuals, there may be permanent or long-term effects such as headaches, poor attention span, poor memory, and poor motor function."  

"There is very little information on possible health problems in children who have been exposed to hydrogen sulfide. Exposed children probably will experience effects similar to those experienced by exposed adults. Whether children are more sensitive to hydrogen sulfide exposure than adults is not known. It is not known whether hydrogen sulfide causes  birth defects in people. The results of studies in animals suggest that exposure to low concentrations of hydrogen sulfide during pregnancy does not cause birth defects. "  - EPA Fact Sheet

"Long-term, low-level exposure may result in fatigue, loss of appetite, headaches, irritability, poor memory, and dizziness. Chronic exposure to low level H2S (around 2 ppm) has been implicated in increased miscarriage and reproductive health issues among Russian and Finnish wood pulp workers, but the reports have not (as of 1995) been replicated." - Wikipedia

Hydrogen Sulfide is highly toxic and very lethal in high doses. Very few studies have been done on the long term effects of low dosage exposure.  It is very scary what impacts this toxin may have on our children.  Notice in the table below that the EPA limit for daily exposure likely to be without risk is 0.0014 ppm. The permit limit set by KDHE is 0.010 ppm which is 7 times higher than the limit recommended by the EPA.  Additionally the permit issued to APAC allows them to violate the 0.010 ppm limit up to 25% of the year without penalty. 

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Health Impact Studies

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Disclaimer: Most of the information on this website has been obtained via the Kansas Open Records Act.  K.S.A. 45-230 and other state regulations place restrictions on how this information may be used.  By viewing this data, you are agreeing to abide by those restrictions.

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