Hydrogen Sulfide Suicide Epidemic Continues

Hydrogen sulfide (chemical formula H₂S) is a colourless, flammable gas characterized by a foul odour similar to rotten eggs. Often found in swamps and sewers due to the breakdown of organic matter, it can be prepared in laboratories through several commonly used chemical procedures. Unfortunately, the toxic gas can also be extracted by combining various household chemicals which has made H₂S easily available for more sinister uses

In recent months, a suicide fad has been sweeping Japan with hundreds of deaths resulting from H₂S exposure. While many of these deaths were intentional suicides, the deadly nature of H₂S has led to forced evacuations of entire buildings due to the gas clouds resulting from its use. While the 517 known H₂S suicides represent only a fraction of the thousands of suicides that have occurred in Japan last year alone, the easy availability of H₂S ingredients as well as instructions on the Internet for committing suicide using H₂S have made it an increasingly popular choice. While Japanese authorities have asked Internet service providers to ban sites promoting suicide, success has been limited.

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