| Definition | Hydrogen sulfide, also known as h2s or acide sulfhydrique, is a member of the class of compounds known as other non-metal sulfides. Other non-metal sulfides are inorganic compounds containing a sulfur atom of an oxidation state of -2, in which the heaviest atom bonded to the oxygen belongs to the class of other non-metals. Hydrogen sulfide can be found in a number of food items such as small-leaf linden, agar, devilfish, and nutmeg, which makes hydrogen sulfide a potential biomarker for the consumption of these food products. Hydrogen sulfide can be found primarily in blood and feces, as well as throughout most human tissues. Hydrogen sulfide exists in all living species, ranging from bacteria to humans. In humans, hydrogen sulfide is involved in a couple of metabolic pathways, which include cysteine metabolism and cystinosis, ocular nonnephropathic. Hydrogen sulfide is also involved in beta-mercaptolactate-cysteine disulfiduria, which is a metabolic disorder. Moreover, hydrogen sulfide is found to be associated with hydrogen sulfide poisoning. Hydrogen sulfide is a non-carcinogenic (not listed by IARC) potentially toxic compound. Hydrogen sulfide often results from the microbial breakdown of organic matter in the absence of oxygen gas, such as in swamps and sewers; this process is commonly known as anaerobic digestion. H 2S also occurs in volcanic gases, natural gas, and in some sources of well water. The human body produces small amounts of H 2S and uses it as a signaling molecule . Treatment involves immediate inhalation of amyl nitrite, injections of sodium nitrite, inhalation of pure oxygen, administration of bronchodilators to overcome eventual bronchospasm, and in some cases hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBO). HBO therapy has anecdotal support and remains controversial (L1139) (T3DB). |
|---|
