Sewer odour is toxic and Biosol offers superior odour control

Research shows that Biosol can reduce hydrogen sulphide (H2S) gas by up to 80% when compared with Magnesium Hydroxide and Ferrous Chloride dosing.

Non-Hazardous

Biosol is classified as a non-hazardous substance, providing a lower risk for operators and management, from a WH&S perspective.

How toxic is sewer odour

Sewer odour is a gas mainly composed of hydrogen sulphide (H2S), which at low levels is a nuisance, at higher levels (10ppm) causes eye and throat damage and at 700 ppm causes death.


Sewer H2S gas levels in Australia, often exceed 1,000 ppm.

Work Health and Safety Risk to operators and management from sewer odour.

Exposure (ppm)Effect/ObservationReference
0.0005-0.01Odour thresholdATSDR 1999; McGavran 2001
0.01-0.6Increased eye symptoms
Increases in nausea
Increased headache, mental symptoms, diseases of nervous system and sense organs
ATSDR 1999 (see Appendix B)
2Bronchial constriction in asthmatic individualsWHO 2003; ATSDR 1999
5Increased eye complaints
Mild respiratory, cardiovascular, musculoskeletal, and metabolic changes
WHO 2003
ATSDR 1999 (see Appendix B)
3.6-21Eye irritationWHO 2003
20Fatigue, loss of appetite, headache, irritability, poor memory, dizziness
Irritation of mucous membranes
WHO 2003
ATSDR 1999
100Olfactory paralysisATSDR 1999
>560Respiratory distressWHO 2003
700DeathWHO 2003

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