EPIDEMIOLOGY OF US WORKPLACE HYDROGEN SULFIDE FATALITIES--AN IMMEDIATELY FATAL TOXIN WITH MULTIPLE CASUALTIES

Objective: To study the characteristics of US workplace fatalities caused by hydrogen sulfide ([H.sub.2]S). Methods: Bureau of Labor Statistics fatal occupational data for the years 1992 to 1998 (inclusive) was analyzed with EPI INFO software (6.04b, 97). The demographics of the worker and the workplace, survival after injury, and activity at the time of death was some of the characteristics analyzed. Results: Of the 33,520 fatal occupational injuries in this 7-year period, 45 deaths were caused by [H.sub.2]S. The exposure was immediately fatal in 38 (84%) of the cases, 3 (7%) more died within 24 hours, and the remaining 4 died over the next two months. There were 8 episodes with two or more deaths from the same incident. Of these, 5 episodes were simultaneously exposed workers and 3 were workers who attempted to rescue exposed co-workers. Total numbers of fatalities were highest among those who had been employed less than one year (12) and in companies with greater than 100 employees (16). Workers were often cleaning, inspecting, or repairing vats, tanks, and trucks. A large number of exposures (25) occurred after entering an enclosed space. Accidents were predominantly in the oil and natural gas industries. Conclusion: [H.sub.2]S is a highly lethal workplace toxin. Fatalities, when they occur, often involve multiple casualties and co-worker rescuers. Larger companies in the oil and natural gas industries should be particularly concerned about new workers.
Hendrickson R, Hamilton RJ, Greenberg MI. MCP-Hahnemann School of Medicine, Philadephia [...]