What are the symptoms of sewer poisoning?

Author: Prof. Jenifer Moen PhD  |  Last update: Thursday, December 25, 2025

Yes, exposure to sewer gas can have many negative health effects. Signs or symptoms of sewer gas exposure may include tiredness, irritated eyes, coughing, nausea, shortness of breath, headaches, irritability, memory issues, or dizziness.

How do you know if you have sewer gas poisoning?

Consequently, you'll experience symptoms related to lack of oxygen, such as dizziness, headache, nausea, and unconsciousness. At higher sewer gas levels or low oxygen concentration (less than 12%), exposure to methane gas may lead to death without warning.

What are the symptoms of sewage sickness?

Germs and parasites may cause diarrhea, fever, cramps, nausea, vomiting, headache, weakness, or loss of appetite.

How long does it take for sewer gas to make you sick?

Sickness from sewage can start in 24-48 hours, but it can take longer.

Is it safe to sleep in a house with sewer gas?

In extremely high concentrations, hydrogen sulfide can cause loss of consciousness and death. Suffocation: High concentrations of methane in enclosed areas decrease the amount of oxygen in the air and can cause suffocation. Symptoms of a lack of oxygen include: Dizziness.

Sewer Gas & Exposure Concerns

How to recover from sewer gas exposure?

Treat symptoms such as headaches, nausea, and dizziness with over-the-counter medications recommended by healthcare professionals. Rest in a well-ventilated area and stay hydrated to aid the body in eliminating toxins. Use a cool compress or cold pack to alleviate discomfort associated with headaches or nausea.

How to test for sewer gas in house?

This can be accomplished with a sewer gas leak detector, or sometimes referred to as simply a gas leak detector. Other methods include calling in a plumber and he will undertake a smoke test to assess where, exactly, the leak may be in the pipes and also undertake a acoustic leak test.

What are the symptoms of hydrogen sulfide gas?

Prolonged exposure may cause nausea, tearing of the eyes, headaches or loss of sleep. Airway problems (bronchial constriction) in some asthma patients. Possible fatigue, loss of appetite, headache, irritability, poor memory, dizziness. Slight conjunctivitis ("gas eye") and respiratory tract irritation after 1 hour.

Can sewer gas make you tired?

Fatigue: since it's a gas your respiratory system is the first to take a hit. Less oxygen to your lungs means a feeling of fatigue or tiredness. Dizziness: some dizziness may occur if you have been breathing in sewer gas for a period of time. You might feel lightheaded.

What are the symptoms of E. coli?

coli can cause diarrhea. Some kinds can cause bloody diarrhea, watery diarrhea, or both. Some of these E. coli can cause other symptoms, including stomach cramps, vomiting, and fever.

Can a leaking sewer pipe make you sick?

Broken sewer pipes can release illness-causing bacteria or raw sewage, which can be detrimental to your health if it makes its way into your body through open wounds, the eyes, or the mouth. This can result in illnesses such as: E-coli.

What virus can you get from sewage?

2: Salmonella A gram-negative and hardy bacterium, which can survive outside a host, making it one of the most dangerous types of bacteria in raw sewage. Salmonella can cause gastroenteritis, typhoid fever and paratyphoid fever, all potential killers. 3: Escherichia coli or E.

Is it safe to stay in a house with sewage backup?

Sewage backup is a serious issue that requires immediate attention and professional intervention. Due to the health hazards associated with sewage contamination, it is not safe to stay in a house with sewage backup.

What is the exposure limit for sewer gas?

NIOSH: The recommended airborne exposure limit (REL) is 10 ppm, which should not be exceeded during any 10-minute work period. ACGIH: The threshold limit value (TLV) is 1 ppm averaged over an 8-hour workshift and 5 ppm as a STEL (short-term exposure limit).

What are the symptoms of methane sickness?

Oxygen in the air and cause suffocation with symptoms of headache, dizziness, weakness, nausea, vomiting, loss of coordination and judgment, increased breathing rate and loss of consciousness. HAZARD. ACGIH: Maintain minimal 19.5% Oxygen content. ► Methane decreases the amount of available Oxygen.

What are the symptoms of being exposed to sewage?

Most people exhibit no symptoms, and the diseases are of short duration. However, in severe infections symptoms can include high fever with head and body aches, stiff neck, muscle weakness, disorientation, tremors, convulsions and, in the most severe cases, coma or paralysis.

What are the warning signs of H2S?

Symptoms and warning signals for H2S gas

If there are low levels of H2S gas present, eye soreness, breathing troubles, coughing, runny nose, headache, confusion, nausea, or disorientation may occur.

How do you get rid of hydrogen sulfide gas in your body?

Nitrite therapy (found in the cyanide antidote kit) has been suggested as a therapy for hydrogen sulfide exposure. Amyl nitrite is given by inhalation (for 30 seconds every minute until an intravenous line is established) followed by intravenous sodium nitrite (300 mg over absolutely no less than 5 minutes).

Can sewer gas come through walls?

Older homes often have old and corroded galvanized steel or cast iron piping that will develop cracks through which sewer gas can escape. In such instances, a plumber would likely find it difficult to diagnose the problem and find a leak: It could be any pipe behind any wall in any room.

How do you air test sewer pipes?

An air test is performed by plugging each end of the lateral and applying 5 psi to the section under test for 15 minutes, without the introduction of any additional air. If the line fails, the owner is responsible for correcting the problem and scheduling a new test.

Should you leave your house if you smell sewer gas?

Thoroughly air out your home of the odor and get outside for fresh air. Should you leave your house if you smell sewer gas? If you smell sewer gas, you should open the windows and go outside into the fresh air. What are the symptoms of sewer gas poisoning?

What are the symptoms of sewer gas sickness?

Irritated eyes, nose, throat, and respiratory system, including tearing of eyes, cough, or shortness of breath. Effects may be delayed. Severe eye and respiratory irritation such as coughing and difficulty breathing. These symptoms may be accompanied by headache, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, and more.

How long does it take to get sick from sewage backup?

How Long Does It Take to Get Sick From Sewage Backup? If you have become sick due to contact with sewage, you will likely start to develop symptoms within 1 to 3 days. If your symptoms are very severe and last longer than two days, you should call your healthcare provider for help.

How long does hydrogen sulfide stay in your system?

Any absorbed hydrogen sulfide does not accumulate in the body as it is rapidly metabolised in the liver and excreted in the urine. Hydrogen sulfide usually breaks down in air in about 3 days and is dispersed by wind.

Previous article
How cold does it have to be to get burst pipes?
Next article
Will bleach damage ceramic tile?