Sulfur Dioxide (SO2)
What is Sulfur Dioxide?
- SO2 is released when burning crude oil and during degradation.
- Sulfur dioxide emissions are also a precursor to acid rain and atmospheric particulates.
The release of sulfur dioxide results in more acid rain.
There are several health risks of Sulfur Dioxide. Here are a few:
- Short-term exposures to SO2, ranging from 5 minutes to 24 hours, can cause adverse respiratory effects including bronchoconstriction and increased asthma symptoms.
- When reacting with other compounds in the atmosphere to form small particles, they can penetrate deeply into sensitive parts of the lungs and can cause or worsen respiratory disease, such as emphysema and bronchitis, and can aggravate existing heart disease, leading to increased hospital admissions and premature death.
Occupational Exposure Limits
EPA set a 24-hour primary standard at 140 parts-per-billion (ppb) and an annual average standard at 30 ppb, and set a 3-hour average secondary standard at 500 ppb.
Knowledge Check Choose the best answer for the question.
4-2. Why is sulfur dioxide so dangerous to the oil spill cleanup worker?
You forgot to answer the question!