Hydrogen Sulfide
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
bhamster "This comment on a question about wastewater (including sewage) has some info on odors: https://publiclab.org/questions/bhamster/07-28-2021/what-are..." | Read more » over 2 years ago
liz "I looked up what government agency deals with housing in Ontario: https://www.ontario.ca/page/solve-disagreement-your-landlord-or-tenant : This sta..." | Read more » over 2 years ago
liz "If it was my house, and no one was listening to me, i'd attempt to create an odor log: https://publiclab.org/wiki/odor. I'd get whatever was ready-..." | Read more » over 2 years ago
sarasage "We are very close to being able to use our bucket kits in the field and want to thank everyone who made a reliable kit based on the CBE buckets. Th..." | Read more » almost 3 years ago
warren "Awesome @zengirl2 @gretchengehrke " | Read more » almost 6 years ago
ErikHanley11 "Thank you, @Zengirl2! " | Read more » almost 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 » almost 6 years ago
stevie "@stevie awards a barnstar to ErikHanley11 for their awesome contribution! " | Read more » almost 6 years ago
stevie "@sharon-wilson check out this time lapse photography of the copper rod corrosion monitoring from @ErikHanley https://publiclab.org/notes/ErikHanley..." | Read more » almost 6 years ago
stevie "@stevie awards a barnstar to ErikHanley11 for their awesome contribution! " | Read more » almost 6 years ago
warren "@warren awards a barnstar to ErikHanley11 for their awesome contribution! " | Read more » almost 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 » almost 6 years ago
zengirl2 "Wow these are great--ty so much for taking the time to document this! " | Read more » almost 6 years ago
zengirl2 "Wow, I was wondering why a sensor would be needed and this info makes it clear. " | Read more » almost 6 years ago
zengirl2 "@stevie Wow, that is exciting. I'm almost picturing pomander balls of this stuff hanging around. " | Read more » almost 6 years ago
stevie "Here's an answer coming in from Ann Marie Carlton who works with an Atmospheric Multiphase Chemistry Research Group at University of California, Ir..." | Read more » almost 6 years ago
Bobibi "Yes. Biochar in manure, compost, and anaerobic digesters helps eliminate odors as well as reduce greenhouse gas emissions. " | Read more » about 6 years ago
Ag8n "Let me do a little more research and get back to you. " | Read more » about 6 years ago
warren "@Ag8n -- would you like one of our prototyping kits? We're almost ready to start shipping them out, and @asnow and @bronwen can get one over to you..." | Read more » about 6 years ago
gretchengehrke "That is such a good idea, @Ag8n!! We should definitely try this. @sara, what would you think about trying this with copper strips that are colocate..." | Read more » about 6 years ago
Ag8n "Copper and copper (I) oxide can be determined visually, based on color. Copper (II) oxide and copper sulfide, both of which are black, cannot be e..." | Read more » about 6 years ago
Ag8n "Hi Gretchen. Out of curiousity, what progress has been made on this question? Thanks. " | Read more » about 6 years ago
gretchengehrke "Also, I just saw on comptox.epa.gov that acetone is actually more hydrophilic than isopropanol, which totally surprises me! I guess vapor pressure ..." | Read more » about 6 years ago
gretchengehrke "Either acetone or 99% isopropanol are probably fine, and maybe we should do a comparison. The only concern I see with isopropanol is that it has a ..." | Read more » about 6 years ago