Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Vol 56, 284-287

Long-term effects on the olfactory system of exposure to hydrogen sulphide

AR Hirsch and G Zavala
Smell and Taste Treatment and Research Foundation, Chicago, IL 60611, USA.

OBJECTIVE: To study chronic effects of hydrogen sulphide (H2S) on cranial nerve I (nervi olfactorii), which have been only minimally described. METHODS: Chemosensations (smell and taste) were evaluated in eight men who complained of continuing dysfunction 2-3 years after the start of occupational exposure to H2S. Various bilateral (both nostrils) and unilateral (one nostril at a time) odour threshold tests with standard odorants as well as the Chicago smell test, a three odour detection and identification test and the University of Pennsylvania smell identification test, a series of 40 scratch and sniff odour identification tests were administered. RESULTS: Six of the eight patients showed deficits of various degrees. Two had normal scores on objective tests, but thought that they continued to have problems. H2S apparently can cause continuing, sometimes unrecognised olfactory deficits. CONCLUSION: Further exploration into the extent of such problems among workers exposed to H2S is warranted.

Copyright © 1999 Occupational and Environmental Medicine
CiteULike    Complore    Connotea    Del.icio.us    Digg    Reddit    Technorati    What's this?

This article has been cited by other articles:

• Schroeter, J. D., Kimbell, J. S., Bonner, A. M., Roberts, K. C., Andersen, M. E., Dorman, D. C. (2006). Incorporation of Tissue Reaction Kinetics in a Computational Fluid Dynamics Model for Nasal Extraction of Inhaled Hydrogen Sulfide in Rats. Toxicol Sci 90: 198-207 [Abstract] [Full Text]  
• Costigan, M. G (2003). Hydrogen sulfide: UK occupational exposure limits. Occup. Environ. Med. 60: 308-312 [Full Text]  
• Moulin, F. J.-M., Brenneman, K. A., Kimbell, J. S., Dorman, D. C. (2002). Predicted Regional Flux of Hydrogen Sulfide Correlates with Distribution of Nasal Olfactory Lesions in Rats. Toxicol Sci 66: 7-15 [Abstract] [Full Text]  
• Brenneman, K. A., Meleason, D. F., Sar, M., Marshall, M. W., James, R. A., Gross, E. A., Martin, J. T., Dorman, D. C. (2002). Olfactory Mucosal Necrosis in Male CD Rats Following Acute Inhalation Exposure to Hydrogen Sulfide: Reversibility and the Possible Role of Regional Metabolism. Toxicol Pathol 30: 200-208 [Abstract]  
• Dorman, D. C., Moulin, F. J.-M., McManus, B. E., Mahle, K. C., James, R. A., Struve, M. F. (2002). Cytochrome Oxidase Inhibition Induced by Acute Hydrogen Sulfide Inhalation: Correlation with Tissue Sulfide Concentrations in the Rat Brain, Liver, Lung, and Nasal Epithelium. Toxicol Sci 65: 18-25 [Abstract] [Full Text]