Hydrogen sulfide is colloquially known as the rotten-egg-gas because of its striking resemblance to the former’s smell. It is usually encountered in refineries, water treatment plants and chemical plants as a byproduct of what is being produced, extracted or manufactured. Workers in these environments are provided with gas masks as instructed by the government body OSHA in order to protect their lungs, nasal passages and eyes from this toxic gas which has been shown to cause internal injuries, some of which may be permanent.
Are you looking for a best refinery injuries attorney? If you inhaled hydrogen sulfide in situations where you believe you should have had access to protection from your employer, we can help. Simply call us TODAY at 1 (773) 825-3547 to speak with our gas exposure attorneys to learn more about your legal options for compensation. With over 70 years’ of combined experience, we can help recover compensation and make sure that the company in the wrong doesn’t do this to other workers going forward. Simply call 1 (773) 825-3547 NOW to speak with a refinery injury lawyer to learn more about how best we can help.
Hydrogen sulfide has many names such as swamp gas, sewer gas, hydrosulfuric acid, sour gas, dihidrogen sulfide and hepatic acid. Organic matter releases this gas upon decomposition, at it is a common phenomenon near volcanoes, hot springs, and in any area where natural gas is extracted. In addition, it is produced in industries that manufacture paper, those in wood pulp preparation, landfills, breweries, shipyards, fertilizer and pesticide factories, petroleum producing refineries and mines.
How Much Hydrogen Sulfide is Dangerous?
Hydrogen sulfide exposure usually happens via inhalation because it is a gas. When it is inhaled into the lungs, it can compromise normal breathing. When one is exposed to hydrogen sulfide for an extended amount of time, throat, ear and eye irritation develops, poor memory, inability to pay attention for long periods of time and impaired motor function become apparent. Should the level of hydrogen sulfide rise past 100 ppm, one can lose consciousness and even die.
Can Hydrogen Sulfide Make You Sick?
According to OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) regulations, you’re not supposed to be exposed to over 20 ppm of hydrogen sulfide at any given time while working in factories, refineries and water treatment plants.
Here are some of the most common symptoms of hydrogen sulfide poisoning:
- Coughing
- Vomiting
- Nausea
- Headache
- Eye, throat and nose irritation
- Dizziness and confusion
Toxic Gas Exposure Lawsuits
As a refinery worker, you are owed a duty of care by your employer. This includes keeping you safe under OSHA laws, providing you with ongoing training and protective gear, mitigating overexposure to hydrogen sulfide in a timely manner, monitoring hydrogen sulfide levels to make sure that they are safe to allow for the safe continuation of work and so on. If your supervisor, contractor or employer failed to do any of these things or you feel that they exposed you to this highly toxic gas in a manner that is unreasonable, you may be able to sue for money damages. Before falling back on your union or workers’ compensation, give us a call: 1 (773) 825-3547.
Hydrogen Sulfide Toxic Exposure Attorneys – Call Us Today!
These cases usually end in individuals suffering lifelong lung and neurological conditions that are costly to treat and may necessitate a change in career or worse, permanent disability. Therefore, you need and are entitled to maximum compensation allowed under the law. Please call us TODAY at 1 (773) 825-3547 to speak with a toxic gas exposure attorney to learn more about how we can help make you whole again. Thanks, and we look forward to hearing from you.