Citation

Wnek S, Berg M, Skelton S, Lemond L, Goad P. J. Occup. Env. Hyg. 2016; 14(4): D39-D48.

Affiliation

Center for Toxicology and Environmental Health, LLC . 5120 Northshore Drive, Little Rock , AR 72118.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2016, Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

10.1080/15459624.2016.1252842

PMID

27820675

Abstract

A hurricane can present unique hazards that exist long after the strong winds and heavy rains have subsided. These hazards may not only be physical, but chemical as well. Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) represents an important and potentially overlooked hazard that can be naturally produced in floodwaters following a hurricane. In August of 2012, in the wake of Hurricane Isaac, Plaquemines Parish, Louisiana was submerged under a blanket of floodwater. To remove floodwaters that had breached the levee system designed to keep water out, temporary drainage pump stations were installed at strategic locations throughout Plaquemines Parish. The transfer of floodwaters at these drainage stations resulted in the generation of elevated concentrations of airborne H2S at the pumping stations. The generation of H2S at these pumping stations represented a potential inhalation hazard for workers; thus, awareness for possible H2S exposure at these installments is crucial.

Language: en