Citation

Vale A. Medicine (Abingdon) 2003; 31(10): 54.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2003, Medicine Publishing)

DOI

10.1383/medc.31.10.54.27814

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Hydrogen sulphide is a colourless gas. Exposure to high concentrations, particularly if repeated, can cause olfactory nerve paralysis; consequently, the characteristic smell is not detected by those exposed and a lack of a history of a 'smell of rotten eggs' does not exclude the diagnosis. Workers in the petrochemical and gas industries and in tanning are at risk of exposure. The gas is also found in mines and sewers, and is liberated from decomposing fish (a hazard in fishing boats if the hold is filled with 'trash' fish used for making fish meal) and liquid manure systems.