Friday, September 9, 2016

H2S Stinks!


https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/70/Wysypisko.jpg


There are major landfills across the nation, and if you have ever been near one you are quite aware of the heavy odor that surrounds it. This article explains the major impact some of the gases that are formed due to biodegradation of solid waste. One of the major gases spoken of is Hydrogen Sulfide which has been found to be the major contributors to the most powerful odors in landfills. Landfills cause a high nuisance in the environment, have shown to cause problems for nearby residents, but more importantly can also cause many health issues for people. Hydrogen Sulfide is known to be a poisonous, flammable gas that has a very similar odor to rotten eggs. The Hydrogen Sulfide holds so much power, that it has to be removed from the gas because of its danger to the environment and those around it. Health issues may vary due to many factors such as exposure duration, exposure frequency, and the concentration of the gas. In most cases it will cause irritation to the eyes where in very high concentrations could cause serious eye damage. Damage to the central nervous system could also result at high concentrations. Thus it is very important to keep a good control over the Hydrogen Sulfide formation in landfills for the safety of the environment and public health. There are many treatments and technology for the removal of Hydrogen Sulfide, but the selection for each one should be taken with many considerations before doing so.  


J.H. Ko, Q. Xu, and Y.C. Jang. 2015. Emissions and Control of Hydrogen Sulfide at Landfills: A Review. Critical Reviews in Environmental Science and Technology. 45: 2043-2083.

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