How does sulphur dioxide effects the environment

When Mount Pinatubo erupted on June 15, , it injected a million ton sulfur dioxide cloud into the stratosphere at an altitude of more than 20 miles. Vernise Tantuco is on Rappler's Research Team, fact checking suspicious claims, wrangling data, and telling stories that need to be heard. How does sulfur dioxide affect the environment?

Vernise Tantuco. What is sulfur dioxide? Sulfur dioxide affects the respiratory system, particularly lung function, and can irritate the eyes. Sulfur dioxide irritates the respiratory tract and increases the risk of tract infections. It causes coughing, mucus secretion and aggravates conditions such as asthma and chronic bronchitis. Significant concentrations of sulfur dioxide are only measured in Queensland near large industrial sources.

The sample shown by the path of the blue dot is drawn into the analyser by means of the vacuum pump, firstly through a filter to remove particles, and then through a scrubber to remove interfering gases, such as hydrocarbons. The scrubbed sample passes into a reaction chamber where it is irradiated with ultraviolet UV light at nm nanometres generated by a zinc discharge lamp and a UV bandpass filter.

Sulfur dioxide absorbs UV radiation at wavelengths between nm and nm. What are the NPS sulfur dioxide health advisories? How does sulfur dioxide affect national parks?

Last updated: September 11, Tools Site Index. Sulfur dioxide SO 2 is a colorless, reactive air pollutant with a strong odor. This gas can be a threat to human health, animal health, and plant life.

The main sources of sulfur dioxide emissions are from fossil fuel combustion and natural volcanic activity. Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park NP is unique in the national park system because it sometimes has extremely high concentrations of sulfur dioxide — far higher than any other national park, or even most urban areas. Sulfur dioxide irritates the skin and mucous membranes of the eyes, nose, throat, and lungs. High concentrations of SO 2 can cause inflammation and irritation of the respiratory system, especially during heavy physical activity.

The resulting symptoms can include pain when taking a deep breath, coughing, throat irritation, and breathing difficulties. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. JavaScript appears to be disabled on this computer. Please click here to see any active alerts. SO 2 is the component of greatest concern and is used as the indicator for the larger group of gaseous sulfur oxides SO x. This may have the important co-benefit of reducing the formation of particulate sulfur pollutants, such as fine sulfate particles.

Emissions that lead to high concentrations of SO 2 generally also lead to the formation of other SO x. The largest sources of SO 2 emissions are from fossil fuel combustion at power plants andother industrial facilities.

The largest source of SO 2 in the atmosphere is the burning of fossil fuels by power plants and other industrial facilities.