The toxic gas eyed as a possible culprit in the deaths of six dairy workers in Weld County is an infrequent but potentially dangerous feature of this type of agricultural work, while experts say the number of victims has little precedent in modern American history.
First responders reported the fatalities at the Prospect Valley Dairy outside Keenesburg on Aug. 20 were possibly associated with exposure to high levels of hydrogen sulfide, known as H2S, a colorless, flammable and corrosive gas that smells like rotten eggs.
Hydrogen sulfide naturally occurs in sewers, manure pits, well water, oil and gas wells and volcanoes. It’s also produced in a number of industries, including mining, tanning, oil and gas refining and certain types of agriculture…