Findings 2002-2003 Hydrogen Sulfide Exposure InvestigationWarren Ohio Community - June 2003How did ATSDR become involved in Warren?In spring of 2002, the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) received a petition to evaluate whether levels of hydrogen sulfide (H2S) in air in the Warren Township community were a problem for people living in the area. ATSDR staff members visited the community and gathered information from residents about their health concerns. ATSDR staff members also collected data from air sampling that had been conducted at five locations in the community in late spring of 2002. ATSDR issued a health consultation September 2002 that concluded exposure to hydrogen sulfide in air at the levels reported in the data would present a public health hazard. However, quality control information was missing for air data and ATSDR's conclusion was based on obtaining verification of the data. ATSDR recommended additional testing to validate the data. What is hydrogen sulfide?Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) is a gas with a strong odor that is often described as smelling like rotten eggs. The gas can be irritating to the eyes, nose and throat. It can cause headaches, and it can increase the severity of symptoms of persons with respiratory problems. You will find more information on hydrogen sulfide in the ATSDR's previous newsletters for this site. How was the exposure investigation conducted?Air inside and outside of seven homes in the area was sampled for hydrogen sulfide from mid-November 2002 through early March 2003. For each house, an air sampler was placed inside and another sampler was placed outside. The samplers tested the air 24 hours per day, 7 days per week for the entire sampling period. Contractors from the Environmental Response Team of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) visited each home about every 3 weeks to copy the results onto a computer and to make sure the samplers were operating properly. Halfway through the residential sampling, a house that was reported to be in a location where odor was more frequent was substituted for one of the six original homes, making a total of seven homes sampled. At this time, an air sampler was installed inside LaBrae High School because the school's meter was reporting levels of hydrogen sulfide that were higher than the ones that were being detected by the air samplers in the residences. The air sampler was placed was placed in the school to find out whether it would detect hydrogen sulfide at the same levels that were being reported by the school's meter. ATSDR obtained all of the recent sampling results in late April 2003. The results were analyzed and compared to the published study results to evaluate the potential for health effects related to exposure to hydrogen sulfide in the air. What levels of hydrogen sulfide did the investigation find?In the air outside of the houses, we found hydrogen sulfide at levels up to 6.1 parts per million (ppm). We found levels of hydrogen sulfide in air inside the homes at levels of up to 38 parts per billion (ppb) or 0.038 ppm in the air. ATSDR's air sampler at the high school did not detect hydrogen sulfide at any time during the sampling period. The sampler's hydrogen sulfide detection level was 50 ppb, so we do not know if the gas may have been present below these levels. During this same time, that the ATSDR sampler was there, the school meter found levels up to 2 ppm. We do not know if
What happens to people who breathe air containing hydrogen sulfide at these levels?One study showed that some people with asthma have bronchial constriction and get headaches after being exposed for 30 minutes to hydrogen sulfide at 2 ppm. Another study found that exposure to hydrogen sulfide at levels of 5 to 10 ppm during exercise resulted in muscles not being able to use oxygen. In another study, residents who lived near a paper mill reported 12 times more eye irritation than persons who did not live near the mill. Hydrogen sulfide levels in this community averaged 4.3 ppb for the year, with daily peak levels up to 70 ppb. Another sulfur gas, methyl mercaptan, was also found at low levels (1-2.5 ppb yearly average, 25 ppb highest daily average) in the air in the community where this study took place. These studies are summarized in the ATSDR Toxicological Profile for Hydrogen Sulfide. Exposures to the levels of hydrogen sulfide found in Warren could lead to fatigue, eye irritation, and exacerbation of asthma for some people. People who are most likely to experience one or more of these symptoms include infants, children, the elderly, and those people who have asthma, or heart problems. If you or your family members have questions about whether your health concerns could be related to exposure to hydrogen sulfide, you should talk to your health care provider. What is ATSDR concluding?CONCLUSIONS 1. An urgent public health hazard exists based on the following conditions:
ATSDR uses the "urgent public health hazard" conclusion for sites where short-term exposures (less than 1 year) to hazardous substances or conditions could result in harmful health effects that require rapid intervention [18]. H2S was detected above levels shown to cause headaches and airway restriction in some asthmatics. Some levels, found in this investigation, were above those levels documented in studies as being associated with increased asthma-related hospital visits in children. 2. Because H2S was found in indoor and outdoor air, opportunities for community members to eliminate or reduce their own exposures are difficult. 3. Based on calls to the odor hotlines, discussions with residents, and reports of headache, nausea, and fatigue, H2S and other possible noxious-smelling compounds in the air are resulting in a diminished quality of life for area residents. 4. Given the levels of H2S in the community's air, it is possible that workers near the source(s) may be exposed to levels that exceed occupational exposure guidelines. RECOMMENDATIONS
What happens now?ATSDR is working with the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the Ohio Department of Health, the city, township and county, and the medical community to address the hydrogen sulfide issues in the Warren Township community. Who do I contact if I have questions, concerns, or want more information?You may call 1-800-422-8737, the ATSDR toll free number, to speak to any of the ATSDR representatives. For more information about the exposure investigation, please contact either of the following:
Lynn Wilder
Gail Scogin For other issues or concerns, please contact these ATSDR staff members:
Michelle College
Lorine Spencer
John Holland You may also contact the following representatives from the Ohio Department of Health: Bob Frey (614) 466-1069 Eric Yates (614) 995-4157 A copy of the exposure investigation will be available at the following repository.
Warren Trumbull County Library |
