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