Department of Epidemiology & Biostatistics, School of Population Health, University of Auckland, Private Bag 92019, Auckland Mail Centre, Auckland 1142, New Zealand.
Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2021 Mar 11;18(6):2866. doi: 10.3390/ijerph18062866.
Occupational exposure limits for hydrogen sulphide (HS) vary considerably; three expert group reports, published from 2006 to 2010, each recommend different limits. Some jurisdictions are considering substantial reductions.
This review assesses the scientific evidence used in these recommendations and presents a new systematic review of human studies from 2006-20, identifying 33 studies.
The three major reports all give most weight to two sets of studies: of physiological effects in human volunteers, and of effects in the nasal passages of rats and mice. The human studies were done in one laboratory over 20 years ago and give inconsistent results. The breathing style and nasal anatomy of rats and mice would make them more sensitive than humans to inhaled agents. Each expert group applied different uncertainly factors. From these reports and the further literature review, no clear evidence of detrimental health effects from chronic occupational exposures specific to HS was found. Detailed studies of individuals in communities with natural sources in New Zealand have shown no detrimental effects. Studies in Iceland and Italy show some associations; these and various other small studies need verification.
The scientific justification for lowering occupational exposure limits is very limited. There is no clear evidence, based on currently available studies, that lower limits will protect the health of workers further than will the current exposure limits used in most countries. Further review and assessment of relevant evidence is justified before exposure limits are set.
硫化氢（HS）的职业接触限值差异较大；2006 年至 2010 年期间发布的三份专家组报告，各自推荐了不同的限值。一些司法管辖区正在考虑大幅降低限值。
本综述评估了这些建议中使用的科学证据，并对 2006 年至 2020 年期间的人类研究进行了新的系统评价，确定了 33 项研究。
这三个主要报告都对两组研究给予了最大的权重：一组是人类志愿者的生理效应研究，另一组是大鼠和小鼠鼻腔效应研究。这些人类研究是在 20 多年前的一个实验室中进行的，结果不一致。大鼠和小鼠的呼吸方式和鼻腔解剖结构会使它们对吸入剂比人类更敏感。每个专家组都应用了不同的不确定性因素。从这些报告和进一步的文献综述中，没有发现明确的证据表明慢性职业暴露于 HS 会对健康造成有害影响。在新西兰有天然来源的社区中对个体进行的详细研究表明，没有有害影响。冰岛和意大利的研究表明存在一些关联；这些和其他各种小型研究需要进一步验证。
降低职业接触限值的科学依据非常有限。基于目前可用的研究，没有明确的证据表明降低限值将比大多数国家目前使用的暴露限值更能保护工人的健康。在设定暴露限值之前，有理由进一步审查和评估相关证据。
