TY - JOUR PY - 2013// TI - Hydrogen sulphide inhalational toxicity at a petroleum refinery in Sri Lanka: a case series of seven survivors following an industrial accident and a brief review of medical literature JO - Journal of occupational medicine and toxicology A1 - Shivanthan, Mitrakrishnan Chrishan A1 - Perera, Harshani A1 - Jayasinghe, Saroj A1 - Karunanayake, Panduka A1 - Chang, Thashi A1 - Ruwanpathirana, Sujatha A1 - Jayasinghe, Nilwala A1 - De Silva, Yamini A1 - Jayaweerabandara, Dinushka SP - 9 EP - 9 VL - 8 IS - 1 N2 - : This case series details clinical observations in 7 survivors of accidental hydrogen sulphide inhalation toxicity at a petroleum refinery in Sri Lanka, of which two cases had features of neurotoxicity and delayed onset respiratory failure requiring intensive care. One victim manifested with mild bronchospasms in the immediate post exposure period and another developed mild perioral numbness 2 days following the event. A brief literature review explores the manifestations, pathophysiology of hydrogen sulphide toxicity and available modalities of treatment. BACKGROUND: Hydrogen sulphide (H2S) is a highly toxic gas. Accidental deaths following H2S exposure is a known problem in petroleum workers exposed to by-products of refineries. Toxicity results mainly due to cellular respiratory poisoning which affects oxidative phosphorylation. The heart, brain and the lungs are often involved following inhalational toxicity and victims present with a variety of clinical features.
Language: en
LA - en SN - 1745-6673 UR - http://dx.doi.org/10.1186/1745-6673-8-9 ID - ref1 ER -