File: 082896_apr96_decls2_0002.txt
Page: 0002
Total Pages: 3
Subject: HYDROGEN SULFIDE Box ID: BX000047 Document Number: 5 Folder Title: MISC NBC INFO Folder Seq #: 16 Unit: XVIII CORPS Parent Organzation: ARCENT AFZA-GT-N 20 NOV 90 INFORMATION PAPE SUBJECT: Hydrogen Sulfide (H2S) (U) 1. @ Purpose. To provide,.updated datal on the hydrogen sulfide (H2S) threat in the Kuwaiti theater of operations. 2. (U) Facts. a. All Kuwait oilfields contain various levels of H2S. Uncontr(@d-wellhea,(i explosions cout(i present a danger-to unprotected personnel. b. H2S is a colorless, flammable, toxic compounder 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 (PPM). At 20 PPM, commercial alarms designed to detect H2S will sound. The gas is heavier than air and disperses at ground level. H2S cannot be detected by field military chemical detectors. c. Low concentrations may cause irritation of the upper respiratory tract and, if exposure is prolongecl,.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 PPM may be fatal. d."@ H2S is a common air contaminant. It is an insidious poison since sense of smell may be fatigued and fail to give warning of high concentrations. A field expedient means of r. H2S forms sulfuric acid upon contact with water and will turn the wet litmus paper pink. e. @ The explosive characteristics of H2S are an additional cause 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| First Page | Prev Page | Next Page | Back to Text |