Exposure to hydrogen sulfide, mercaptans and sulfur dioxide in pulp industry

An hygienic survey for hydrogen sulfide, methyl mercaptan and its derivatives and sulfur dioxide in kraft mills and in sulfite mills revealed concentrations varying from 0 to 20 ppm hydrogen sulfide, 0 to 15 ppm methyl mercaptan and comparable amounts of dimethyl sulfide with dimethyl disulfide up to 1.5 ppm. The greatest emissions were detected at chip chutes and evaporation vacuum pumps. Batch operations yielded clearly higher sulfur dioxide concentrations (up to 20 ppm) as compared to a continuous ammonia-base digester. Furthermore, there was a strong correlation with the season in the sulfite mills where higher concentrations were found in the winter when natural ventilation was poorer. As to the health effects, the exposed workers complained of headaches and a decrease in concentration capacity more often than matched controls. The number of sick leaves was greater in the exposed workers than among the controls.