Hydrogen Sulfide
activity:hydrogen-sulfide

_This is the organizing page for research related to hydrogen sulfide in Public Lab._ (above: [DIY colorimetric strips](/notes/megan/9-7-2012/first-experiment-analyzed) reacting to H2S by @megan) ### What is hydrogen sulfide, what are its effects, and where is it found? Hydrogen sulfide, with the chemical formula H2S, is a flammable gas that has a pungent odor at low concentrations and is odorless at higher concentrations. It can be a respiratory irritant and a neurotoxin. [Read more about hydrogen sulfide health effects](/wiki/hydrogen-sulfide-effects). Hydrogen sulfide is naturally formed in low-oxygen conditions with sulfate present, such as in organic-rich sediments and thus in petrochemical source rocks. Upon exposure to oxygen, hydrogen sulfide readily oxidizes to sulfur dioxide or sulfate, and generally reacts within hours to days. [Read more about hydrogen sulfide sources and spatial and temporal variation](/wiki/hydrogen-sulfide-environment) ### How are hydrogen sulfide emissions and exposures regulated? In the United States, hydrogen sulfide emissions are only federally regulated to the extent that they contribute to sulfur dioxide formation, and thus acid rain. These emissions are regulated through the Prevention of Significant Deterioration of major stationary sources review and permitting. Exposure to hydrogen sulfide is mostly regulated in terms of occupational exposure, with very few states regulating ambient exposure to this toxin. [Read more about hydrogen sulfide regulations](/wiki/hydrogen-sulfide-regulations) ## How can hydrogen sulfide be measured? While there is no federal regulatory method for hydrogen sulfide in the US, labs, agencies, and oilfield workers often measure hydrogen sulfide gas through several different means: * badges or glass tubes that change color * continuously sampling electronic sensors, some worn by oilfield workers * [air grab sampling](/wiki/air-sampling), as by the Bucket Brigades, tested with gas chromatography > We're compiling information about the **pros, cons, prices, and sensitivity/limitations** of these techniques: [What are different commercially available hydrogen sulfide detection methods?](/notes/warren/12-04-2017/what-are-different-commercially-available-hydrogen-sulfide-detection-methods) ## Do-It-Yourself approaches to detection There are three prototype, low-cost hydrogen sulfide detection methods currently being explored by Public Lab community members. These include: * a [method using photographic paper](/wiki/hydrogen-sulfide-photopaper) * a [copper tarnishing method](/wiki/hydrogen-sulfide-copper-pipe) * a technique using a [Do-It-Yourself potentiostat](/notes/JSummers/03-10-2014/quantifying-airborne-hydrogen-sulfide) * commercial [electronic H2S sensors](/wiki/hydrogen-sulfide-sensor) connected to a computer or #arduino > Help out! Please help link the above bullet points to corresponding pages across this site. **** ## Questions We can't make progress on these techniques and resources without addressing our unknowns. Please ask questions to help shape the direction of our work! [questions:hydrogen-sulfide] **** ## Related pages See [other related wiki pages here](https://publiclab.org/wiki/tag/hydrogen-sulfide) **** ## Activities These activities are to guide you to test out hydrogen sulfide detection methods or use these tools in the field: [activities:hydrogen-sulfide] **** ## Where can I find more information? Two particularly good resources are listed below. Other hydrogen sulfide wiki pages (mentioned above) include additional relevant resources. 1. Agency for Toxic Substance and Disease Registry. 2016. Hydrogen Sulfide Fact Sheet. [https://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/ToxProfiles/tp114-c1-b.pdf](https://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/ToxProfiles/tp114-c1-b.pdf). 2. National Research Council. 2010. Acute Exposure Guidelines. [https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2014-11/documents/hydrogen_sulfide_final_volume9_2010.pdf](https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2014-11/documents/hydrogen_sulfide_final_volume9_2010.pdf). ...


Author Comment Last activity Moderation
warren "Awesome @zengirl2 @gretchengehrke " | Read more » over 6 years ago
ErikHanley11 "Thank you, @Zengirl2! " | Read more » over 6 years ago
ErikHanley11 "@Zengirl2 Absolutely! We did this testing at Deer Island Sewage Treatment Plant, which is the Boston metropolitan area's sewage treatment plant. Th..." | Read more » over 6 years ago
stevie "@stevie awards a barnstar to ErikHanley11 for their awesome contribution! " | Read more » over 6 years ago
stevie "@stevie awards a barnstar to ErikHanley11 for their awesome contribution! " | Read more » over 6 years ago
warren "@warren awards a barnstar to ErikHanley11 for their awesome contribution! " | Read more » over 6 years ago
zengirl2 "These pics are the best--would love to hear more about the site you chose and whether it was difficult to get permission for its use. Thanks again! " | Read more » over 6 years ago
zengirl2 "Wow these are great--ty so much for taking the time to document this! " | Read more » over 6 years ago
gretchengehrke "@warren, I thought the sandpaper we used (that was like a polisher) worked well to remove grime on the surface of the copper, which is its purpose...." | Read more » almost 7 years ago
warren "And do you have to discard the sandpaper on each use, or can it be used over and over? Thanks! " | Read more » almost 7 years ago
warren "Hi, i saw you mentioned: it’s almost more like a polisher regarding the sandpaper -- was that a bad thing? Would you opt for a different grade of..." | Read more » almost 7 years ago
warren "Just linking in here to the question where some of us have been looking for different materials and setups to do this test with: https://publiclab..." | Read more » almost 7 years ago
warren "Also note this PDF version! https://i.publiclab.org/system/images/photos/000/004/830/original/H2SphotopaperHowTo_ew__(1).pdf " | Read more » about 7 years ago
warren "Hi, gretchen - the photos are great. Do you have a list of Amazon links and prices you could add -- as a step in getting a prototyping kit together..." | Read more » about 7 years ago
gretchengehrke "Here are before and after photos. We did not expect (and did not observe) any discoloration since we were only putting them out for less than 24 ho..." | Read more » about 7 years ago
gretchengehrke "Here is a picture after sanding one of the little copper strips. The green pad is actually soft sandpaper / polishing paper. " | Read more » about 7 years ago
gretchengehrke "Here is a picture of cutting the copper sheet into strips. " | Read more » about 7 years ago
gretchengehrke "Hi @warren, Thanks for the reminder to add pictures. I have tried inserting photos a few times today, but it keeps crashing the edit (and, seemingl..." | Read more » about 7 years ago
warren "And if there are any photos of these steps, i'd love to help make diagrams to illustrate the process! " | Read more » about 7 years ago
warren "Hi! Do you have photos you can attach for what the copper should look like before/after H2S exposure? Or after any possible false positives? " | Read more » about 7 years ago
zengirl2 "@gretchengehrke OK, ty for the response. Sounds like I need to check manufacturers about the copper tape to see how pure it is. Also, I was thinkin..." | Read more » about 7 years ago
gretchengehrke "Hi @Zengirl2, I'm not sure about the copper strips. Whatever copper is used needs to be fairly pure, and I'm not sure if the copper tape is pure c..." | Read more » about 7 years ago
zengirl2 "@gretchengehrke Do you know if copper tape can be used? I'm considering giving testers out at the Factory Farm Summit mounted on cardboard. Also, s..." | Read more » about 7 years ago
sara "Directions for making the glycerol solution mention here can be found in this research note: Making-glycerol-solution-h2s-film-assay " | Read more » over 12 years ago