Hydrogen sulfide, or H2S, is a high-density gas that has a distinctive pungent scent. This gas is often produced by human waste and can also be naturally released from natural gas and petroleum. Common human exposure occurs in wastewater plants, sewers, and oil and gas industries. Although hydrogen sulfide does not accumulate in the body, …
Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) consist of compounds composed of carbon and hydrogen in the form of aromatic rings. The number of aromatic rings possessed by a polyaromatic hydrocarbon is correlated to its toxicity. For instance, PAH’s with 4 to 5 rings are more toxic than those with only 2 to 3 aromatic rings. This group …
Formaldehyde is an organic compound that consists of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen. It forms a colorless gas that is most commonly used as a preservative. Formaldehyde is used in preservation due to its ability to harden tissue on a molecular level which inhibits bacteria from feeding on biological tissue. It’s relatively low-cost has caused this chemical to be used in many applications including chemical manufacturing, …
Peracetic acid, or PAA, is a highly oxidative organic acid created by reacting acetic acid and hydrogen peroxide. This acid is commonly used in the produce industry, healthcare applications, and water treatment. PAA eliminates cross-contamination in the process of washing produce due to its ability to kill and deactivate bacteria. This acid is primarily used …
