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Subject: HYDROGEN SULFIDE                                                

Unit: XVIII CORPS 

Parent Organization: ARCENT      

Box ID: BX000031

Folder Title: DUTY LOG REAR CP G3  19 NOV 90                                                                  

Document Number:         34

Folder SEQ  #:         65




                   UNCLASSIFIED





                                                                      AFZA-GT-M
                                                                     20 NOV 90



                                       INFORMATION PAPER




             SUBJECT: Hydrogen Sulfide (H2S) (U)

             *11=     Purpose. Toiprovide updated data on the hydrogen
             AN       (H2S) threat n the Kxuwaiti theater of operations.

             2. (U) Facts.
                      ai@       All Kuwait oilfields contain various levels of
             H2S. Unco    r led wellhead explosions could present a danger to
             unprotected personnel.

                      b.        H2S is a colorless, flammable, toxic compound
             which provides a full range of effects against unprotected
             personnel. H2S can be detected by its "rotten egg" smell. It is
             primarily a respiratory hazard at concentrations of about 10
             parts per million (PPH). At 20 PPM, commercial alarms designed
             to detect H2S will sound. The gas is heavier than air and
             disperses at ground level .
                                                  5USC552(b)(l)-
                      c.(@      Low concentrations may cause irritation of the
             upper respiratory tract and, if exposure is prolonged,.pulmonary
             edema may result. A 30-minute exposure of 500 PPM results in
             headache, dizziness, excitement, staggering gait, diarrhea, and
             dysuria, followed sometimes by bronchitis or bronchopneumonia.
             At very high concentrations, the respiratory center is paralyzed.-.
             Exposures of 800-1000 FFM may be fatal.
                      d(U)@     H2S is a common air contaminant. It is an
             insidious pofson since sense of smell may be fatigued and fail to
             give warning of high concentrations. A field expedient means of
aper. H2S
             forms sulfuric acid upon contact with water and will turn the wet
             litmus paper pink.
                      ju  I @@  The explosive characteristics of H2S are an
             additiona c  )
                          ause for concern. Explosive limits of H2S in the air
             are similar to gasoline. Ignition of the gas will most likely
             come from an external catalyst due to the high flash point of
             H2S.









                                  UNCLASSIFIED

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Document 2 f:/Week-12/BX000031/DUTY LOG REAR CP G3 19 NOV 90/hydrogen sulfide:11229616372825
Control Fields 17
File Room = mar96_declassified
File Cabinet = Week-12
Box ID = BX000031
Unit = XVIII CORPS
Parent Organization = ARCENT
Folder Title = DUTY LOG REAR CP G3 19 NOV 90
Folder Seq # = 65
Subject = HYDROGEN SULFIDE
Document Seq # = 34
Document Date =
Scan Date =
Queued for Declassification = 01-JAN-1980
Short Term Referral = 01-JAN-1980
Long Term Referral = 01-JAN-1980
Permanent Referral = 01-JAN-1980
Non-Health Related Document = 01-JAN-1980
Declassified = 22-NOV-1996