Skip to main content Skip to main navigation Skip to search

Queensland and NSW floods 2022

Visit recovery.gov.au to see what help is available.

Close
Home

Top navigation main

  • News & media
  • Jobs
  • Ministers
  • Contact us
Main menu

AWE Main

  • Climate change
    Climate change Driving climate action, science and innovation so we are ready for the future.
    • Climate science and adaptation
    • Australia's climate change strategies
    • Emissions reduction
    • Emissions reporting
    • International commitments
    • Climate Active
    • Climate change publications and data
    • Australia’s National Greenhouse Accounts (Emissions Data)
    Stronger action on climate change

    Stronger action on climate change

    See how the Australian Government is committed to taking more ambitious action on climate change.

    Find out more

  • Energy
    Energy Building a secure and sustainable energy system for all Australians.
    • Energy policy in Australia
    • Energy and Climate Change Ministerial Council
    • Renewable energy
    • Energy publications
    • energy.gov.au
    • Energy Rating
    • Commercial Building Disclosure Program
    • Nationwide House Energy Rating Scheme (NatHERS)
    • Your Home
    • Reducing transport emissions
    Photo of commercial laundry focused on a washer and dryer

    Energy Ratings labels

    Helping consumers choose energy-efficient appliances

    Helping consumers choose energy-efficient appliances

  • Environment
    Environment Improving stewardship and sustainable management of Australia’s environment.
    • Bushfire recovery
    • Climate change and the environment
    • Biodiversity
    • EPBC Act
    • Environmental information and data
    • International activities
    • Invasive species
    • Land
    • Marine
    • Partnerships
    • Protection
    • Report a breach of environment law
    • Threatened species & ecological communities
    • Waste and recycling
    • Wildlife trade
    Decorative image

    Read our Nature Positive Plan

    Our plan sets out the Australian Government’s commitment to environmental law reform

    Find out more

  • Water
    Water Improving the sustainable management of Australia’s water supply for industry, the environment and communities.
    • Coal, Coal seam gas (CSG) and water
    • Commonwealth Environmental Water Holder
    • Water policy and resources
    • Wetlands
    Water matters

    Water Matters

    Keep up with the latest news on the department's work in managing Australia's water resources.

    Read the latest edition here

  • Parks and heritage
    Parks and heritage Managing Australia’s iconic national parks, historic places and living landscapes.
    • Australian Marine Parks
    • Australian National Botanic Gardens
    • Booderee National Park
    • Kakadu National Park
    • Christmas Island National Park
    • National parks
    • Norfolk Island National Park
    • Heritage
    • Pulu Keeling National Park
    • The Great Barrier Reef
    • Uluṟu-Kata Tjuṯa National Park
    The reef

    Great Barrier Reef

    Australia is protecting and conserving this World Heritage Area.

    Find out more

  • Science and research
    Science and research Undertaking research and collecting data to support informed decisions and policies.
    • Climate change
    • Australia's biological resources
    • National Environmental Science Program (NESP)
    • Office of the Science Convenor
    • Australian Biological Resource Study (ABRS)
    • State of the Environment (SoE) reporting
    • Bird and bat banding
    • Supervising Scientist
    Our climate is changing

    Our climate is changing

    Find out more about how climate science helps Australians with the impacts of climate change.

    Find out more

  • About us
    About us We lead Australia’s response to climate change and sustainable energy use, and protect our environment, heritage and water.
    • Accountability and reporting
    • Assistance, grants and tenders
    • Fees and charges
    • News and media
    • Our commitment to you
    • People and jobs
    • What we do
    • Who we are
    2023-24 May Budget

    2023-24 Budget

    The 2023-24 Budget has been delivered. Find out what's been announced.

    Find out what's been announced

  • Online services
    Online services We do business with you using online platforms. This makes it easier for you to meet your legal requirements.
Department of Climate Change, Energy, Enviroment and Water

Breadcrumb

  1. Home
  2. Environment
  3. Environment protection
  4. National Pollutant Inventory
  5. Substances
  6. Substance fact sheets
  7. Hydrogen sulfide

Sidebar first - EN - Protection

  • Substances
    • Fact sheets
    • Background
    • Substance list and thresholds

Hydrogen sulfide

On this page

  • Overview
  • Health effects
  • Environmental effects
  • Sources of emissions
  • References

Description

Hydrogen sulfide is used in the manufacture of pulp and paper (digesting agent), in tanneries and in sulfide ores. Most man made hydrogen sulfide is produced as a by-product of industry, rather than for industry.

Substance details

Substance name: Hydrogen sulfide

CASR number: 7783-06-4

Molecular formula: H2S

Synonyms: Hydrogen sulphide; Hydrosulfuric acid; heptic acid; Stink Damp; Sulfureted Hydrogen; Sulfur Hydride; Sewer gas; sour gas; Sulferetted hydrogen

Physical properties

Melting Point: -85.4°C

Boiling Point: -60.3°C

Vapour Density: 1.189

Flashpoint: -82.4°C

Chemical properties

Hydrogen sulfide is a colourless, flammable, poisonous gas that smells like rotten eggs. It is soluble in water and organic solvents and will corrode metals.

Further information

The National Pollutant Inventory (NPI) holds data for all sources of hydrogen sulfide emissions in Australia.

  • Australia's hydrogen sulfide emission report

Description

Collapse, coma and death from respiratory failure may come within a few seconds after one or two inspirations, at high levels (concentrations of 1000 to 2000 parts per million). Concentrations of 100 to 200 parts per million for one to eight hours may cause sleeplessness, blurred vision, haemorrhage and death. Lower concentrations may irritate the eyes, nose and throat (5 to 50 parts per million). Following an exposure there may be headaches, dizziness, and nausea. Repeated exposures may cause headaches, anorexia, insomnia, paralysis, meningitis, psychic troubles, slowed heart rate, bronchitis and a grey-green line on the gums.

Entering the body

Hydrogen sulfide can enter the body when a person breathes air containing hydrogen sulfide. This is most common for people who work in areas of higher exposure or near to facilities where hydrogen sulfide are used or produced.

Exposure

Workers in the industries that use or produce hydrogen sulfide are most at risk of exposure. Consumers can be exposed to hydrogen sulfide by exposure to air from production and processing facilities that use or produce hydrogen sulfide such as mining operations, chemical processing facilities, oil and gas extraction operations, electric power plants, pulp and paper mills, and other producers of to hydrogen sulfide.

Workplace exposure standards

Safe Work Australia sets the workplace exposure standard for hydrogen sulfide through the workplace exposure standards for airborne contaminants:

  • Maximum eight hour time weighted average (TWA): 10 parts per million (14 mg/m3)
  • Maximum short term exposure limit (STEL): 15 parts per million (21 mg/m3)

These standards are only appropriate for use in workplaces and are not limited to any specific industry or operation. Make sure you understand how to interpret the standards before you use them.

Drinking water guidelines

The Australian Drinking Water Guidelines include the following guidelines for acceptable water quality:

  • Maximum of 0.05 milligrams per litre of water for aesthetic considerations

Description

Hydrogen sulfide has high acute (short-term) toxicity to aquatic life, birds, and animals. Insufficient data are available to evaluate the acute toxicity of hydrogen sulfide on plants on land. Insufficient data are available to evaluate the chronic toxicity of hydrogen sulfide to plants, birds or animals.

Entering the environment

Hydrogen sulfide will be in the atmosphere as a gas. It will be dispersed depending upon where the air currents carry it. It breaks down in the air in a few days.

Where it ends up

Hydrogen sulfide enters the environment from both natural and human processes. Almost all the releases are to the air, where it exists in the gas phase. In the air it will react with other chemicals to be broken down, it will usually be broken down in about three days.

Environmental guidelines

No national guidelines.

Industry sources

Potential large emitters of hydrogen sulfide are electric power plants (burning coal or fuel oil containing sulfur), oil and gas extraction operations, oil refineries, pulp and paper mills, sewage treatment plants, large pig farms and other confined animal feeding operations, Portland cement kilns, municipal waste landfills, coke ovens, sulfur products and hydrogen sulfide production, asphalt production and storage and geothermal power plants. Most hydrogen sulfide releases are to the air.

Diffuse sources, and industry sources included in diffuse emissions data

Other potential emitters of hydrogen sulfide are breweries, fertiliser producers, glue manufacturers, processing of ores (Lead, gold, and copper) and sugar beet and sugar cane processing.

Natural sources

Hydrogen sulfide is found in coal pits, volcanic gases, natural gas wells, sulfur springs, and decaying organic matter which contains sulfur.

Transport sources

Found in car exhaust.

Consumer products

It is not believed that there are any consumer products that contain hydrogen sulfide. Some consumer products may release hydrogen sulfide, such as septic tanks and the burning of coal or oil.

Sources used in preparing this information

  • Australian and New Zealand Environment and Conservation Council (ANZECC) (1992), Australian Water Quality Guidelines for Fresh and Marine Waters.
  • CalEPA Air Resources Board Toxic Air Contaminant Summary Hydrogen sulfide (accessed, May, 1999)
  • ChemFinder WebServer Project (1995), Hydrogen sulfide (accessed, May, 1999)
  • Environmental Chemicals Data and Information Network (ECDIN) (date of update not given) Hydrogen sulfide (accessed, May, 1999)
  • Environmental Defense Fund (1998), Hydrogen sulfide: The Chemical Scorecard: (accessed, May, 1999)
  • Meagher, D (1991), The Macmillan Dictionary of The Australian Environment, Macmillan Education Australia Pty Ltd.
  • Messer MG Industries (1997), Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) Hydrogen sulfide (accessed, May, 1999)
  • NTP Chemical Repository, Radian Corporation, Hydrogen sulfide (AUGUST 29, 1991) (accessed, May, 1999)
  • Richardson, M (1992), Dictionary of Substances and their Effects, Royal Society of Chemistry, Clays Ltd, England.
  • Sittig, M (1991), Handbook of Toxic and Hazardous Chemicals and Carcinogens, 3rd edition, Noyes Publications, USA.
  • Technical Advisory Panel (1999), Final Report to the National Environment Protection Council.
  • US Department of Health and Human Services (1990), NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards, Publication No. 90-117.
  • Safe Work Australia, Workplace exposure standards for airborne contaminants, accessed November 2018.
  • National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC), Australian Drinking Water Guidelines (2011) - Updated October 2017, accessed May 2018
Thanks for your feedback.
Thanks! Your feedback has been submitted.

We aren't able to respond to your individual comments or questions.
To contact us directly phone us or submit an online inquiry

CAPTCHA
This question is for testing whether or not you are a human visitor and to prevent automated spam submissions.

Please verify that you are not a robot.

Skip

Footer

  • Contact us
  • Accessibility
  • Disclaimer
  • Privacy
  • FOI
Last updated: 30 June 2022

© Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water

We acknowledge the Traditional Owners of country throughout Australia and recognise their continuing connection to land, waters and culture. We pay our respects to their Elders past, present and emerging.