Citation

Shivanthan MC, Perera H, Jayasinghe S, Karunanayake P, Chang T, Ruwanpathirana S, Jayasinghe N, De Silva Y, Jayaweerabandara D. J. Occup. Med. Toxicol. 2013; 8(1): 9.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2013, Holtzbrinck Springer Nature Publishing Group - BMC)

DOI

10.1186/1745-6673-8-9

PMID

23578012

Abstract

: This case series details clinical observations in 7 survivors of accidental hydrogen sulphide inhalation toxicity at a petroleum refinery in Sri Lanka, of which two cases had features of neurotoxicity and delayed onset respiratory failure requiring intensive care. One victim manifested with mild bronchospasms in the immediate post exposure period and another developed mild perioral numbness 2 days following the event. A brief literature review explores the manifestations, pathophysiology of hydrogen sulphide toxicity and available modalities of treatment. BACKGROUND: Hydrogen sulphide (H2S) is a highly toxic gas. Accidental deaths following H2S exposure is a known problem in petroleum workers exposed to by-products of refineries. Toxicity results mainly due to cellular respiratory poisoning which affects oxidative phosphorylation. The heart, brain and the lungs are often involved following inhalational toxicity and victims present with a variety of clinical features.

Language: en