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The emission of gas species dangerous for human health and life is a widespread source of hazard in various natural contexts. These mainly include volcanic areas but also non-volcanic geological contexts. A notable example of the latter occurrence is the Mefite d'Ansanto area in the Southern Apennines in Italy. Here, large emissions of carbon dioxide (CO2) occur at rates that make this the largest non-volcanic CO2 gas emission in Italy and probably of the Earth. Given the topography of the area, in certain meteorological conditions a cold gas stream forms in the valleys surrounding the emission zone, which proved to be potentially lethal for humans and animals in the past. In this study we present a gas hazard quantification study that considers the main specie, that is CO2, and the potential effect of the most dangerous, which is hydrogen sulphide (H2S). For these purposes we used VIGIL, a tool that manages the workflow of gas dispersion simulations specifically optimised for probabilistic hazard applications. Results are discussed and presented in form of maps of CO2 and H2S concentration and persistence at various exceedance probabilities considering the gas emission rates and their possible range of variation defined in previous studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The geothermal power plants for electricity production currently active in Italy are all located in Mt. Amiata area in the Tuscany region. A cross-sectional survey was conducted in the framework of the regional project "InVETTA—Biomonitoring Survey and Epidemiological Evaluations for the Protection of Health in the Amiata Territories", using objective measures of lung function to investigate the role of hydrogen sulphide (H2S) in affecting the respiratory health of the population living in this area. Methods: 2018 adults aged 18–70 were enrolled during 2017–2019. Home and workplace addresses of participants were geocoded. Dispersion modelling was used to evaluate the spatial variability of exposure to H2S from the geothermal power plants' emissions. We estimated average long-term historical exposure to H2S and more recent exposure indicators. Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) was defined according to the Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD). Multivariable logistic regressions were performed to investigate associations between outcome and exposure. Results: Our findings did not showed any evidence of an association between increasing H2S exposure and lung function impairments. Some risk reductions were observed: a -32.8% (p = 0.003) for FEV1<80% and a -51.7% (p = 0.001) risk decrease for FVC<80% were associated with interquartile increase (13.8 μg/m3) of H2S levels. Conclusion: Our study provides no evidence that chronic exposure to low levels of H2S is associated with decrements in pulmonary function, suggesting that ambient H2S exposure may benefit lung function. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Aeolian archipelago is known worldwide for its volcanic activity and hydrothermal emissions, of mainly carbon dioxide and hydrogen sulfide. Hydrogen, methane, and carbon monoxide are minor components of these emissions which together can feed large quantities of bacteria and archaea that do contribute to the removal of these notorious greenhouse gases. Here we analyzed the metagenome of samples taken from the Levante bay on Vulcano Island, Italy. Using a gene-centric approach, the hydrothermal vent community appeared to be dominated by Proteobacteria, and Sulfurimonas was the most abundant genus. Metabolic reconstructions highlight a prominent role of formaldehyde oxidation and the reverse TCA cycle in carbon fixation. [NiFe]-hydrogenases seemed to constitute the preferred strategy to oxidize H 2 , indicating that besides H 2 S, H 2 could be an essential electron donor in this system. Moreover, the sulfur cycle analysis showed a high abundance and diversity of sulfate reduction genes underpinning the H 2 S production. This study covers the diversity and metabolic potential of the microbial soil community in Levante bay and adds to our understanding of the biogeochemistry of volcanic ecosystems., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Background: The evidence on the health effects related to residing close to landfills is controversial. Nine landfills for municipal waste have been operating in the Lazio region (Central Italy) for several decades. We evaluated the potential health effects associated with contamination from landfills using the estimated concentration of hydrogen sulphide (H2S) as exposure.Methods: A cohort of residents within 5 km of landfills was enrolled (subjects resident on 1 January 1996 and those who subsequently moved into the areas until 2008) and followed for mortality and hospitalizations until 31 December 2012. Assessment of exposure to the landfill (H2S as a tracer) was performed for each subject at enrolment, using a Lagrangian dispersion model. Information on several confounders was available (gender, age, socioeconomic position, outdoor PM10 concentration, and distance from busy roads and industries). Cox regression analysis was performed [Hazard Ratios (HRs), 95% confidence intervals (CIs)].Results: The cohort included 242 409 individuals. H2S exposure was associated with mortality from lung cancer and respiratory diseases (e.g. HR for increment of 1 ng/m(3) H2S: 1.10, 95% CI 1.02-1.19; HR 1.09, 95% CI 1.00-1.19, respectively). There were also associations between H2S and hospitalization for respiratory diseases (HR = 1.02, 95% CI 1.00-1.03), especially acute respiratory infections among children (0-14 years) (HR = 1.06, 95% CI 1.02-1.11).Conclusions: Exposure to H2S, a tracer of airborne contamination from landfills, was associated with lung cancer mortality as well as with mortality and morbidity for respiratory diseases. The link with respiratory disease is plausible and coherent with previous studies, whereas the association with lung cancer deserves confirmation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Additionally to flow rate measurements of fluid discharges in submarine hydrothermal systems, in-situ-measurements of concentrations of dissolved gases like CO2 and H2S can provide important information about the state of a hydrothermal system. Sampling and following laboratory methods are costly and not sufficient with respect to sampling intervals. Commercial sensors to monitor dissolved CO2 and H2S in seawater are so far unavailable. Therefore a sensor device based on commercially available sensors for gas monitoring was designed, constructed, and tested. The sensor array was tested in the submarine hydrothermal system of Panarea, Aeolian Islands, Italy. The first application provided important insight into variations of CO2 and H2S concentrations. Besides influences by earth tides, also additional fluctuations can be monitored by long term records. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: A new method for measuring H2S mass flux from the ground, based on the digital analysis of the interference colours produced by the sulphidation of copper passive samplers (CPS), is proposed and discussed in this article. CPS sulphidation has a wide range of linear responses to H2S doses and can be used together the accumulation chamber method to estimate gas fluxes from natural degassing areas. These are often characterized by the presence of vent centred degassing areas (VCDAs), which are recognizable from the absence or rarefaction of vegetation due to high acid gas concentrations in the soil pores and in the air at ground level. A reference emission curve, accounting for the advective and diffusive components of the flux, can be modelled and used to estimate the total H2S mass released from each VCDA. The application of this method can be supported by remote sensing analysis that helps identify VCDAs in the field in perivolcanic H2S degassing areas. As an illustrative application, H2S gas fluxes from the ground were measured in spring 2007 at the Zolforata di Pomezia degassing area (ZPDA, Alban Hills, Central Italy) using an accumulation chamber internally equipped with CPS. H2S peak fluxes were measured over the vents after remote sensing assisted identification of the VCDAs. Further measurements were carried out in two ponds and one artificial channel bordering the study area. The total atmospheric flux released at the ZPDA, estimated to be about 1207.6 kg day−1, was calculated as the summation of the fluxes from all the H2S sources, the background flux being negligible. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

In a volcanic area, the composition of air is influenced by the interaction between fluids generated from many different environments (magmatic, hydrothermal, meteoric, and marine). Any physical and chemical variation in one of these subsystems is able to modify the outgassing dynamic. The increase of natural gas hazard, related to the presence of unhealthy components in air, may depend on temporary changes both in the pressure and chemical gradients that generate transient fluxes of gases and can have many different causes. Sometimes, the content of unhealthy gases approaches unexpected limits, without clear warning. In this case, an altered composition of the air can be only revealed after accurate sampling procedures and laboratory analysis. The investigations presented here are a starting point to response to the demand for a new monitoring program in the touristic area of Baia di Levante at Vulcano Island (Aeolian archipelago, Italy). Three multiparametric geochemical surveys were carried in the touristic area of Baia di Levante at Vulcano Island (Aeolian archipelago, Italy) in 2011, 2014, and 2015. Carbon dioxide (CO2) and hydrogen sulfide (H2S) are the main undesired components, usually present at the local scale. Anomalous CO2 and H2S outputs from soil and submarine bubbling vents were identified; the thermal anomaly of the ground was mapped; atmospheric concentrations of CO2 and H2S were measured in the air 30 cm above the ground surface. Atmospheric concentrations above the suggested limits for the wellbeing of human health were retrieved in open areas where tourists stay and where CO2 can accumulate under absence of wind. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Sulfurous thermal waters release biologically active hydrogen sulfide. • Cellular uptake of hydrogen sulfide is revealed by selective probes (flow cytometry). • Sulfurous thermal waters increase osteogenesis of mesenchymal stromal cells. • Sulfurous thermal waters may serve as complementary therapy in bone wasting diseases. Strategies aimed at delaying the onset of bone tissue degeneration and the resulting skeletal fragility are key to decrease the risk of bone fracture correlated to ageing. The therapeutic properties of sulfurous thermal waters (STWs), rich in hydrogen sulfide (H 2 S), have been claimed for centuries. However, the direct regulation of bone cells by STWs has not been investigated yet. Here we aimed at analyzing the effect of STWs on cultured human mesenchymal stromal cells (hMSCs) derived from bone tissue. Two concentrations of STWs from 2 health spa centers in Italy (here named STW-1 and STW-2) containing, respectively, high and moderate quantities of H 2 S, were added to the culture media. Cytotoxicity and osteogenic differentiation were evaluated. We provided first evidence that treatment of hMSCs with STWs results in a sharp increase in intracellular H 2 S content, coherent with the different concentrations of H 2 S, thereby reveling that STWs-released H 2 S is internalized by cells. STWs treatment significantly induced osteogenic differentiation of hMSCs. In particular, mineral apposition was increased with a similar pattern by the two STWs, while mRNA expression of osteogenic markers (BSP, OC, RUNX-2, OPN) was differently affected. Only STW-2 induced a significant, dose-dependent increase in these gene expression. These findings support the rationale for the use of STWs as a complementary treatment of bone wasting diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In December 2019, severe cases of pneumonia of unknown aetiology were reported in Wuhan city, in China. Lately, the pneumonia was related to the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2), and the diseases was termed coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19). At the end of January 2020, the infection spread all over Italy, but with high infection rates and mortality in the northern part, especially in Lombardy, the most industrialized and polluted region of the country. It is noteworthy that a strong association between severe viral respiratory disease and air pollution has been described. Air pollutant could be solid particles, liquid droplets, or gases and can be of natural origin (such as ash from a volcanic eruption) or released from motor vehicle depletes (carbon monoxide gas) or factories (sulfur dioxide). Volcanic eruptions release large amounts of sulphuric acid, hydrogen sulfide, and hydrochloric acid into the atmosphere. Pulmunary diseases spreadby means of small droplets in thebreath, also called aerosols, and air pollution may facilitate the outside survival of viruses. We suppose that ash and gases emitted from the Mount Etna contributed to air pollution, potentially favouring the major contagion of COVID-19 in the eastern flank of the mountain, as in Catania city. In fact, ash and gases (with regard to radon) are usually particularly intense in winter, with a reduction of emission of specific metals with warmer weather. This is the first paper that elaborates the hypothesis of a potential role of volcanic gases and heavy metals-related air pollution, combined to specific climatic conditions and regional topography, in favouring severe COVID-19 diffusion in Sicily. Clinical and epidemiological studies are needed to support the hypothesis and plan the due prevention and awareness-raising campaigns., (Copyright © 2020 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Objective: Thirty-four geothermal power plants for the production of electricity are currently active in the geothermal areas in Tuscany. The present study aimed to investigate the association between short-term exposure to hydrogen sulfide (H 2 S) and acute health outcomes., Methods: This study used individual data on non-accidental, cardiovascular and respiratory mortality, urgent hospital admissions (HA) and emergency department (ED) visits for cardiorespiratory diseases occurring from 2000 to 2017. All cases were georeferenced and matched to daily H 2 S data, derived from 18 monitoring sites. A case-crossover design following the matched pair interval approach was applied and conditional logistic regression models were fitted to estimate odds ratios and their 90% confidence intervals, adjusting for a set of time-dependent variables, such as influenza epidemics, holidays and temperature., Results: A total of 8054 deaths, 30,527 HA and 15,263 ED visits occurred. Mortality for non-accidental (OR = 1.11, 90% CI 1.02-1.22) and cardiovascular causes (OR = 1.22, 90% CI 1.03-1.44) were associated with an increase of 10 µg/m 3 of H 2 S daily levels only among men. Hospital admissions for respiratory diseases were positively associated with H 2 S exposure: OR = 1.11 (90% CI 1.00-1.22) among women. No associations were observed in ED visits analyses., Conclusions: In this case-crossover study in the Tuscan geothermal areas, short-term exposure to H 2 S was weakly associated with some mortality and morbidity outcomes. Our findings did not show a clear pattern as the results were not homogeneous between mortality and morbidity data or between men and women.

Since the 1990s, in areas with natural geothermal manifestations studies on the association between exposure to pollutants and health effect have become increasingly relevant. These emissions consist of water vapor mixed with carbon dioxide, hydrogen sulfide (H 2 S), methane and, to a lesser extent, rare gases and trace elements in volatile forms. Considering the indications of the World Health Organization and the growth in the use of geothermal energy for energy production, this review aims to report studies exploring the health status of the populations living in areas where geothermal energy is used to produce heat and electricity. Studies on the health effects of the general population exposed to emissions from both natural geothermal events and plants using geothermal energy at domestic or commercial level have been considered between 1999 and 2019. Studies were classified into those based on health indicators and those based on proxy-individual level exposure metrics. Both statistically significant results (p<0.05) and interesting signals were commented. The 19 studies selected (New Zealand, Iceland and Italy) provide heterogeneous results, with an increased risk for several tumor sites. Exposure to H 2 S low concentrations is positively associated with an increment of respiratory symptoms, anti-asthma drugs use, mortality for respiratory diseases and lung cancer. Exposure to H 2 S high levels is inversely related to cancer mortality but associated with an increase in hospitalization for respiratory diseases, central nervous system disorders and cardiovascular diseases. The results indicate that the health of populations residing in areas rich in geothermal emissions presents some critical elements to be explored. The two major limitations of the studies are the ecological design and the inadequate exposure assessment. The authors suggested the prosecution and the systematization of health surveillance and human biomonitoring activities associated with permanent control of atmospheric emissions from both industrial and natural plants., (Copyright © 2019 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Hydrogen sulphide (H2S) is one of the most toxic natural gas and represents a not rare cause of fatal events in workplaces. We report here a serious accidental poisoning by hydrogen sulphide inhalation involving six sailors. Three of them died while the other three survived and were transported to the emergency room. No greenish discolouration of the body, that could be a feature of these type of deaths, was observed at autopsy. Given that blood and/or urine H2S detection does not allow to discriminate if it is related to inhalation or to putrefactive processes, the determination of thiosulphate, H2S main metabolite, is decisive. The succession of fatal events reported here can be rebuilt by toxicological data interpretation: the subject 1 died after a longer interval of time as demonstrated by the highest blood and urine thiosulfate concentrations; the subject 2 died after a short interval of time as showed by a lower blood and urine thiosulfate concentrations than subject 1; the subject 3 died almost immediately after H2S inhalation since he showed the lowest blood thiosulfate concentration, and no trace of sulphide and thiosulfate was found in the urine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Geothermal power plants for the production of electricity are currently active in Mt. Amiata, Italy. The present study aimed to investigate the association between chronic low-level exposure to H 2 S and health outcomes, using a residential cohort study design., Methods: Spatial variability of exposure to chronic levels of H 2 S was evaluated using dispersion modelling. Cohorts included people residing in six municipalities of the geothermal district from 01/01/1998 to 31/12/2016. Residence addresses were georeferenced and each subject was matched with H 2 S exposure metrics and socio-economic status available at census tract level. Mortality and hospital discharge data for neoplasms and diseases of the respiratory, central nervous and cardiovascular systems were taken from administrative health databases. Cox proportional hazard models were used to test the association between H 2 S exposure and outcomes, with age as the temporal axis and adjusting for gender, socio-economic status and calendar period., Results: The residential cohort was composed of 33,804 subjects for a total of 391,002 person-years. Analyses reported risk increases associated with high exposure to H 2 S for respiratory diseases (HR = 1.12 95%CI: 1.00-1.25 for mortality data; HR = 1.02 95%CI: 0.98-1.06 for morbidity data), COPD and disorders of the peripheral nervous system. Neoplasms were negatively associated with increased H 2 S exposure., Conclusions: The most consistent findings were reported for respiratory diseases. Associations with increased H 2 S exposure were coherent in both mortality and hospitalization analyses, for both genders, with evidence of exposure-related trends. No positive associations were found for cancer or cardiovascular diseases., (Copyright © 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Significant exposure to hydrogen sulfide may occur in workers at sulphureous thermal baths. Work-related exposure to hydrogen sulfide may be shown by measuring sulfhemoglobin (S-Hb) blood levels. In this study we measured S-Hb blood levels in two groups of workers at two different thermal baths and compared these with hydrogen sulfide concentrations in the air of the two work environments. Our results show that blood S-Hb levels can be considered a reliable measure of individual exposure to hydrogen sulfide.