Occupational fatality and persistent neurological sequelae after mass exposure to hydrogen sulfide. 1995

J W Snyder, and E F Safir, and G P Summerville, and R A Middleberg
Department of Emergency Medicine, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA.

Exposure to hydrogen sulfide (H2S) has been associated with death as well as survival following coma with or without hypoxic brain damage. The release of H2S at a beachfront construction site led to the emergency evaluation and treatment of 37 people, with six admissions and one death. At least one victim, who underwent extensive therapy with hyperbaric oxygen, developed persistent neurological sequelae. Despite increased awareness of the potentially life-threatening consequences of exposure to H2S, significant poisoning continues to occur, even in workplaces where the hazards are well-known and can be avoided. Recommended therapy includes nitrites, hyperbaric oxygen, and supportive care, but documentation of efficacy is lacking. Because patients with chronic neurological sequelae after acute H2S exposure continue to be reported, we suggest that any survivor of H2S poisoning who presents in coma or who manifests objectively verifiable evidence of neurotoxicity on physical examination or lab testing should undergo baseline and annual neurological and neuropsychological testing for at least five years. This approach could standardize and enhance our knowledge of, and ability to detect, the subtle but permanent alterations of central nervous system function that follow H2S exposure.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D008297 Male Males
D008606 Mental Processes Conceptual functions or thinking in all its forms. Information Processing, Human,Human Information Processing
D008875 Middle Aged An adult aged 45 - 64 years. Middle Age
D011041 Poisoning A condition or physical state produced by the ingestion, injection, inhalation of or exposure to a deleterious agent. Poisonings
D003128 Coma A profound state of unconsciousness associated with depressed cerebral activity from which the individual cannot be aroused. Coma generally occurs when there is dysfunction or injury involving both cerebral hemispheres or the brain stem RETICULAR FORMATION. Comatose,Pseudocoma,Comas,Pseudocomas
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D006862 Hydrogen Sulfide A flammable, poisonous gas with a characteristic odor of rotten eggs. It is used in the manufacture of chemicals, in metallurgy, and as an analytical reagent. (From Merck Index, 11th ed) Hydrogen Sulfide (H2(Sx)),Hydrogen Sulfide (H2S2),Hydrogen Sulfide (H2S3),Sulfide, Hydrogen
D000062 Accidents, Occupational Unforeseen occurrences, especially injuries in the course of work-related activities. Accidents, Industrial,Industrial Accidents,Occupational Accidents,Accident, Industrial,Accident, Occupational,Industrial Accident,Occupational Accident
D000328 Adult A person having attained full growth or maturity. Adults are of 19 through 44 years of age. For a person between 19 and 24 years of age, YOUNG ADULT is available. Adults
D016273 Occupational Exposure The exposure to potentially harmful chemical, physical, or biological agents that occurs as a result of one's occupation. Exposure, Occupational,Exposures, Occupational,Occupational Exposures

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