The Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board (CSB) has posted on its web site a new video illustrating the work of the agency on the hazards of sodium hydrosulfide.
This seven-minute video, Preventing Harm from Sodium Hydrosulfide, describes good management practices to prevent deaths and injuries involving the chemical.
Sodium hydrosulfide (NaHS), a process chemical used in the paper, mining, and leather industries, releases highly toxic hydrogen sulfide gas when mixed with acid or heated.
The video highlights information found in the CSB's written safety bulletin on NaHS first issued in July 2004. The bulletin found that NaHS accidents have caused at least 32 deaths, 176 injuries, 351 medical evaluations, and 10 evacuations of plants and communities since 1971.
CSB investigator Randy McClure narrates the video, which outlines the dangers of mishandling NaHS, summarizes the health hazards associated with hydrogen sulfide gas, and recommends safe management and emergency response practices. The video is available at www.csb.gov/.