Sulfur dioxide

Environmental effects of sulfur dioxide
Health effects of sulfur dioxide 
Measurement of sulfur dioxide 

Sulfur dioxide (SO2) is a colourless gas with a sharp,irritating odour. It is produced from the burning of fossil fuels (coal and oil) and the smelting of mineral ores that contain sulfur. Erupting volcanoes can be a significant natural source of sulfur dioxide emissions.

Environmental effects of sulfur dioxide When sulfur dioxide combines with water, it forms sulfuric acid, which is the main component of acid rain. When acid rain falls it can cause deforestation, acidify waterways to the detriment of aquatic life and corrode building materials and paints. In Queensland, heavy industry is not as intensive as in Europe and some parts of northern America where the potential for acid rain formation from sulfur dioxide emissions is higher. Queenslands weather conditions and low sulfur content of Australian fuels reduce our potential for acid rain.

Stack emissions from a refinery

Health effects of sulfur dioxide
Sulfur dioxide can affect the respiratory system, the functions of the lungs and irritate our eyes. When sulfur dioxide irritates the respiratory tract it causes coughing, mucus secretion, aggravates conditions such as asthma and chronic bronchitis and makes people more prone to respiratory tract infections. Sulfur dioxide can attach itself to particles and, if these particles are inhaled, they can cause more serious effects.

Air quality standard
Australian air quality standards and goals are set below the concentrations where sensitive members of the population would be affected by sulfur dioxide. The EPP (Air) quality goal for sulfur dioxide for a 1hour period is 0.2ppm. The National Environment Protection Measure for Ambient Air Quality (Air NEPM) has the same 1hour standard, a 24hour standard of 0.08ppm and an annual average of 0.02ppm.

Measurement of sulfur dioxide
Absorption of ultraviolet radiation by sulphur dioxide is followed by fluorescence at higher wavelengths. Ambient air is drawn through a cell where it is irradiated with ultraviolet light. The resulting fluorescence is detected by a photomultiplier tube. The amount of fluorescence is a measure of the sulphur dioxide concentration. Sulphur dioxide is also measured by DOAS instrumentation

Last updated: 18 September 2007

Sulfur dioxide

• Sulfur dioxide analyser