Indoor air quality conversations often focus on CO₂, PM2.5, or VOCs, but two dangerous gases are frequently overlooked: Hydrogen Sulfide (H₂S) and Ammonia (NH₃).
 Both gases are common in industrial sites, laboratories, wastewater facilities, food processing plants, commercial kitchens, and even some office buildings with poor ventilation or specific cleaning agents.

Even at low concentrations, H₂S and NH₃ can impact health, safety, productivity, and regulatory compliance.
Understanding how to detect and control these gases is essential for every facility manager and building operator.

This guide breaks down the science, the risks, compliance requirements, and how Aeropulse technology helps ensure safe indoor environments.

 

 

Why H₂S and NH₃ Matter in Indoor Environments

Hydrogen Sulfide (H₂S)

• Smells like rotten eggs
• Highly toxic at elevated levels
• Produced by sewage systems, drainage issues, decomposition, industrial processes
• Dangerous because the smell disappears at higher concentrations (olfactory fatigue)

 

Ammonia (NH₃)

• Sharp, irritating odor
• Used in cleaning products, refrigeration systems, fertilizers
• Damages eyes, lungs, and skin with prolonged exposure

 

 

 Even short-term exposure to these gases can cause:

• Headaches
• Irritation of eyes and throat
• Nausea
• Fatigue
• Reduced concentration
• Respiratory issues

At high levels, they become life-threatening.

This is why advanced, real-time monitoring is not optional; it’s essential.

 

---

 

Common Indoor Sources of H₂S and NH₃

H₂S Sources

• Faulty sewage or plumbing systems
• Wastewater treatment areas
• Certain manufacturing processes
• Food processing waste
• Poorly ventilated basements or maintenance rooms

 

NH₃ Sources

• Cooling and refrigeration systems
• Industrial production
• Cleaning agents
• Animal facilities
• Certain textile and chemical operations

 

---

 

Health & Safety Limits You Must Know

Below are key international exposure guidelines used by occupational health agencies.

Hydrogen Sulfide (H₂S)

• OSHA Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL):20 ppm ceiling
• NIOSH Recommended Exposure Limit (REL):10 ppm (10-minute)
• ACGIH TLV:1 ppm (8-hour), 5 ppm (15-minute)

Ammonia (NH₃)

• OSHA PEL:50 ppm (8-hour)
• NIOSH REL:25 ppm (8-hour), 35 ppm (15-minute)
• ACGIH TLV:25 ppm (8-hour), 35 ppm (15-minute)

For sensitive buildings (schools, offices, malls), many experts recommend:

• H₂S:Keep below 0.01–0.1 ppm
• NH₃:Keep below 2–10 ppm

 

---

 

Compliance Requirements in Modern Buildings

1. OSHA & International Occupational Standards

Industrial sites and commercial buildings must maintain gas concentrations below the allowed limits. Failure to do so results in:

• OSHA penalties
• Risk assessments
• Mandatory hazard documentation

2. Local Building Codes & Safety Protocols

Cities and municipalities often require:

• Mechanical ventilation in sewage or utility rooms
• Safety alarms for H₂S and NH₃ in industrial/refrigeration areas
• Quarterly or annual air quality checks

3. WELL & LEED Requirements (v2 & v5)

While WELL and LEED focus primarily on CO₂, VOCs, and PM, they include protective clauses on:

• Combustion by-products
• Hazardous gases
• Industrial contaminants
• Odor control
• Mechanical ventilation and leakage prevention

WELL Feature A05, A06, A08 and LEED v5 IEQ categories expect:

• No harmful gas buildup
• Proper pollutant source control
• Real-time monitoring in risk-prone areas
• Immediate response systems

Aeropulse monitoring supports these compliance points even when H₂S and NH₃ are not explicitly required.

 

---

 

Real-Time Monitoring: The Only Reliable Safety Solution

Detecting H₂S and NH₃ is challenging because:

• Smell is unreliable
• Gas concentrations can spike suddenly
• Manual inspections are not continuous
• Ventilation failures can go unnoticed

This is where Aeropulse technology becomes critical.

How Aeropulse Helps Protect Buildings from H₂S & NH₃

✔ 1. High-Accuracy Sensors

Aeropulse uses industrial-grade electrochemical sensors capable of detecting H₂S and NH₃ at very low levels for early warnings.

✔ 2. Real-Time Alerts

Instant notifications when gas levels rise:

• Mobile app alert
• Dashboard alert
• Automated email
• Immediate integration with HVAC or exhaust systems

✔ 3. Seamless Integration

Compatible with:

• Modbus
• BACnet
• MQTT
• Wi-Fi / PoE

Meaning ventilation systems can respond automatically to dangerous concentrations.

✔ 4. Long-Term Data Logging

Essential for:

• Compliance audits
• Safety reporting
• Industrial documentation
• Post-incident analysis

Aeropulse devices store over 1.5 years of local data plus cloud backup.

✔ 5. Visual Dashboards & Trends

Facility managers can:

• Track spikes
• Identify leak patterns
• Locate problem areas
• Optimize ventilation

 

---

 

Who Needs H₂S & NH₃ Monitoring the Most?

• Wastewater treatment facilities
• Mechanical & utility rooms
• Schools near farmland or sewage lines
• Commercial kitchens
• Food processing facilities
• Laboratories
• Fertilizer storage
• Industrial production areas
• Hotels & malls with centralized sewage systems

Any building with plumbing, ventilation, wastewater systems, or chemical use can benefit.

 

---

 

Conclusion

Hydrogen Sulfide (H₂S) and Ammonia (NH₃) pose serious health and safety risks in modern buildings. With growing regulatory expectations and stricter indoor environmental standards, real-time detection is no longer optional.

Aeropulse provides the technology, precision, and reliability needed to meet compliance requirements while keeping occupants safe.

With continuous monitoring, automated alerts, and industry-grade sensors, Aeropulse helps buildings stay ahead of risks protecting people, equipment, and operations.