Sampling and Analysis of Ambient and Endogenous Hydrogen Sulfide

摘要

Significant effort has been expended over the years to develop an appropriate set of protocols or methods for the sampling and analysis of reduced sulfur species such as hydrogen sulfide (H{sub}2S), carbonyl sulfide (OCS), carbon disulfide (CS{sub}2), methyl mercaptan (MM), dimethyl sulfide (DMS), and dimethyl disulfide (DMDS). This class of compounds is often referred to as volatile sulfur compounds (VSC) and is distinguished by the oxidation state of the sulfur atom as well as its general instability. While sulfur dioxide (SO{sub}2) is a volatile sulfur species, its sulfur atom is in the oxidized state, is not problematic for sampling and analysis, and therefore is not normally considered as part of this group. The reduced volatile sulfur species are of particular importance because of their role in global chemical cycles, occupational health and safety, industrial processes such as petroleum production, and community aesthetics (odor). From an analysis point of view, other than their notable noxious odor, many reduced sulfur species are characterized by poor stability in standard sampling media. Because of these characteristics, a mobile laboratory system has been developed that addresses the need for in-situ sampling and analysis. This mobile laboratory has been used to collect data from a variety of sites, both remote and 'clean' and source-impacted. In addition, a second purpose for the mobile laboratory was to collect exhaled breath samples for analysis. The purpose of this analysis was to examine the potential exposure that can be manifested from the hydrogen sulfide generated endogenously-from inside the human body.