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Smelling rotten egg smell from battery
We just bought a used RV. I noticed outside it smelled like rotten eggs. It did inside the RV too. We were changing out the old toilet, so we thought it might be from that. My stepson suggested that it could be a battery going bad. There was a vent on the front of the RV, and my husband suggested I smell the vent...said could really smell it from there. I got within a foot of the vent (possibly closer) and took a wiff...the smell was horrible. It made my nose burn a bit too. My stepson did confirm it is a bad battery. After looking on the internet, I noticed the exposure can be dangerous. Can just being in and around the RV and taking a wiff from the vent cause me long-term health issues? DO I NEED TO SEE A DOCTOR? I don't know how to know if I was exposed to event he small particles I read about by smelling from that vent. My nose is bothering me still (90 min later), but I don't know if it is an actual problem or me being hypersensitive to all I've read. Your advice would be helpful. I did call the local poison control in the area, and they did not seem concerned. The batteries are being replaced tomorrow, so how long until it is safe to be back in the RV too? Thank you.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Hello,
When batteries get wet or damp, sulfuric acid may be present in the air as small droplets or attached to other small airborne particulates (for example, dust). Sulfuric acid is extremely irritating to skin, mucous membranes (eyes, inside of the nose, throat), and to the upper airway (trachea) and to the lungs.
Inhalation of sulfuric acid droplets can cause a chemical pneumonitis (inflammation in the lungs). If someone has chemical pneumonitis, the lungs may not be able to clear other particles that are inhaled and there may be an increased risk for developing pneumonia. In addition, the sulfuric acid is irritating to the gastrointestinal tract and could cause nausea, diarrhea, and stomach pain.
Your symptoms of nose irritation may be related to being exposed to the battery fumes. Flushing your nose and mouth with copious amounts of water can be beneficial.
In general, these types of symptoms are self-limiting and do not have long-term consequences.
Lastly, where can you find more information on this topic?
You can perform a google search and use “battery acid fumes” and “MSDS” as search terms. MSDS = Material Safety Data Sheet.
Here is a link as well:
http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/toxfaqs/tf.asp?id=255&tid=47
~ Dr. Parks
This answer is not intended as and does not substitute for medical advice. The information presented in this posting is for patients’ education only. As always, I encourage you to see your personal physician for further evaluation of your individual case.
When batteries get wet or damp, sulfuric acid may be present in the air as small droplets or attached to other small airborne particulates (for example, dust). Sulfuric acid is extremely irritating to skin, mucous membranes (eyes, inside of the nose, throat), and to the upper airway (trachea) and to the lungs.
Inhalation of sulfuric acid droplets can cause a chemical pneumonitis (inflammation in the lungs). If someone has chemical pneumonitis, the lungs may not be able to clear other particles that are inhaled and there may be an increased risk for developing pneumonia. In addition, the sulfuric acid is irritating to the gastrointestinal tract and could cause nausea, diarrhea, and stomach pain.
Your symptoms of nose irritation may be related to being exposed to the battery fumes. Flushing your nose and mouth with copious amounts of water can be beneficial.
In general, these types of symptoms are self-limiting and do not have long-term consequences.
Lastly, where can you find more information on this topic?
You can perform a google search and use “battery acid fumes” and “MSDS” as search terms. MSDS = Material Safety Data Sheet.
Here is a link as well:
http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/toxfaqs/tf.asp?id=255&tid=47
~ Dr. Parks
This answer is not intended as and does not substitute for medical advice. The information presented in this posting is for patients’ education only. As always, I encourage you to see your personal physician for further evaluation of your individual case.
See above...it should have said, "I don't know how to know if I was exposed to even the small particles..."
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