Published in the journal of “Occupational & Environmental Medicine” (http://oem.bmj.com)

Abstract (with author affiliations & other articles citing this article):  http://oem.bmj.com/content/56/4/284.abstract)
Full document:  http://oem.bmj.com/content/56/4/284.full.pdf+html

By Alan R Hirsch, Gilberto Zavala

Abstract 

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.

(Occup Environ Med 1999;56:284–287)

Occupational and Environmental Medicine (OEM) is an international peer reviewed journal covering current developments in occupational and environmental health worldwide. Original contributions include: epidemiological studies of health concerns related to exposures in the workplace and the environment; human studies employing biological and genomic techniques to investigate the effects of such exposures; exposure assessment studies; evidence based research on the practice of occupational medicine, and new research methods.