A page on the health and environmental effects of hydrogen sulfide. > Health effects vary with how long, and at what level, you are exposed. Asthmatics may be at greater risk. > Low concentrations – irritation of eyes, nose, throat, or respiratory system; effects can be delayed. > Moderate concentrations – more severe eye and respiratory effects, headache, dizziness, nausea, coughing, vomiting and difficulty breathing. > High concentrations – shock, convulsions, unable to breathe, coma, death; effects can be extremely rapid (within a few breaths). (Exposure information from [OSHA.gov](https://www.osha.gov/Publications/hydrogen_sulfide.html)) ## Questions Post and answer questions about the health effects of hydrogen sulfide here: [questions:hydrogen-sulfide-effects,hydrogen-sulfide] **** Exposure limits from various sources, [from an Airgas Materials Safety Data Sheet](https://www.airgas.com/msds/001029.pdf): ``` ACGIH TLV (United States, 3/2016). STEL: 5 ppm 15 minutes. TWA: 1 ppm 8 hours. NIOSH REL (United States, 10/2013). CEIL: 15 mg/m³ 10 minutes. CEIL: 10 ppm 10 minutes. OSHA PEL 1989 (United States, 3/1989). STEL: 21 mg/m³ 15 minutes. STEL: 15 ppm 15 minutes. TWA: 14 mg/m³ 8 hours. TWA: 10 ppm 8 hours. OSHA PEL Z2 (United States, 2/2013). AMP: 50 ppm 10 minutes. CEIL: 20 ppm ``` Note that these show toxicity at levels close to the ability of the wearable electronic monitors (see above) can detect -- 10-15ppm; "STEL" means [Short Term Exposure Limit](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Short-term_exposure_limit), or an "acceptable average exposure over a short period of time."