A 49-year-old female resident working in the Social Welfare Bureau’s (IAS) Northern District Social Services Centre in Toi San district was taken to the public Conde de São Januário Hospital for suspected hydrogen sulphide inhalation yesterday, IAS said in a statement yesterday.
The bureau’s Northern District Social Services Centre in Toi San will suspend its external services until further notice for “safety reasons”, the statement said, adding that the bureau apologises to members of the public for any inconvenience caused.
The Fire Services Bureau (CB) was informed about the hydrogen-sulphide poisoning incident at around 10:30 a.m. yesterday, with the victim feeling dizzy.
The statement said that firefighters rushed to the centre’s office where they detected 12 parts per million (ppm) of hydrogen sulphide.
The statement did not reveal whether drainage work had been carried out there in the past two days.
According to Wikipedia, more than 20 ppm of hydrogen sulphide can irritate victims’ eyes and respiratory system, causing dizziness, headache and drowsiness, or even coma, respiratory arrest and death, within a short period of time, if hydrogen sulphide is at very high concentrations of above 530 ppm.
Hydrogen sulphide has a strong, pungent and characteristic “rotten egg” taste and odour, but when the concentration exceeds 100 ppm, it may not be noticed due to smell fatigue, according to Wikipedia.
Members of the public should go to the bureau’s Social Services Centre in Ilha Verde during its suspension, or can call 2822 5744 or 2858 0981 for enquiries if they have service needs, the statement said, without revealing when the suspension will be lifted.
Photo courtesy of Kloss and Bruce
