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12/20/2013 03:29 PM Posted by: David J. Lopez

A new survey from the American Society of Safety Engineers and Drager confirms the need for additional education and training in the oil and gas industry about new guidelines that have been recommended for exposure to hydrogen sulfide (H2S).

"The 1ppm (parts per million) Hydrogen Sulfide Threshold: Are You Prepared?” survey uncovered that more than half (53 percent) of safety experts in the oil and gas industry are unaware of new standards set by the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH) that may help decrease deaths caused by the inhalation of H2S.

A colorless gas commonly referred to as sewer gas and stink damp, H2S remains the leading cause of death among gas inhalation-related deaths in the workplace. Hydrogen sulfide also possesses a unique property of causing olfactory fatigue [temporary anosmia] at concentrations above — depending on the individual — 50-100 ppm. The guidelines, which are not legal requirements, recently recommended by ACGIH for H2S limits include:

• Threshold limit value (TLV): 1 ppm
• Time-weighted average (TWA): 1.4 mg/m3
  
• Short-term exposure level (STEL): 5 ppm, 7.0mg/m3

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