Sensory and cognitive effects of acute exposure to hydrogen sulfide

Background

Some epidemiologic studies have reported compromised cognitive and sensory performance among individuals exposed to low concentrations of hydrogen sulfide (H₂S).

Objectives

We hypothesized a dose–response increase in symptom severity and reduction in sensory and cognitive performance in response to controlled H₂S exposures.

Methods

In separate exposure sessions administered in random order over three consecutive weeks, 74 healthy subjects 35 females, 39 males; mean age (± SD) = 24.7 ± 4.2; mean years of education = 16.5 ± 2.4], were exposed to 0.05, 0.5, and 5 ppm H₂S. During each exposure session, subjects completed ratings and tests before H₂S exposure (baseline) and during the final hour of the 2-hr exposure period.

Results

Dose–response reduction in air quality and increases in ratings of odor intensity, irritation, and unpleasantness were observed. Total symptom severity was not significantly elevated across any exposure condition, but anxiety symptoms were significantly greater in the 5-ppm than in the 0.05-ppm condition. No dose–response effect was observed for sensory or cognitive measures. Verbal learning was compromised during each exposure condition.

Conclusions

Although some symptoms increased with exposure, the magnitude of these changes was relatively minor. Increased anxiety was significantly related to ratings of irritation due to odor. Whether the effect on verbal learning represents a threshold effect of H₂S or an effect due to fatigue across exposure requires further investigation. These acute effects in a healthy sample cannot be directly generalized to communities where individuals have other health conditions and concomitant exposures.