Effects of Sulfur Dioxide on Health

Introduction

The water-soluble gas sulfur dioxide (SO2) is frequently emitted into the environment by coal-fired power plants, refineries, paper mills, and food processing facilities. Sulfur dioxide threatens human health and has numerous severe side effects. It may contaminate the clean air that people breathe before harming them. Additionally, if tightly controlled, it can positively affect the ecosystem.

What Is Sulfur Dioxide?

SO2 is the chemical formula for sulfur dioxide. It is an inorganic chemical substance heavier than air and colorless. Sulfur gas combustion results in the production of SO2. The distinctive sulfur odor is the most obvious indication of this gas.

What Are the Sources of Sulfur Dioxide?

The sources of sulfur dioxide are as follows:

Human Sources:

Sulfur dioxide emissions are mostly caused by burning non-renewable fuel sources, including charcoal, oil, and gas. According to the Tropospheric Emission Monitoring Internet Service (TEMIS), coal burning is a significant source of sulfur dioxide, accounting for 50 % of yearly emissions from coal-fired power plants. Moreover, an additional 25 % to 30 % comes from burning oil. The main source of sulfur dioxide emissions is electricity production from fossil fuel-burning power plants. Industrial processes also release lower amounts of sulfur dioxide. These include extracting metal from ore and using high-sulfur fuels by locomotives, huge ships, and non-road machinery.

Natural Sources:

Sulfur dioxide is released in huge amounts during volcanic eruptions. The enormous amounts of sulfur dioxide released during a single eruption may be sufficient to change the climate on a large scale. Similarly, sulfur dioxide is released into the air by hot springs. Even the reaction of hydrogen sulfide with atmospheric oxygen might result in the production of sulfur dioxide. Areas where biological degradation occurs, such as marshes, release hydrogen sulfide into the air.

What Are the Uses of Sulfur Dioxide?

The uses of sulfur dioxide are as follows:

1. Temporary Bleach: By reducing, sulfur dioxide bleaches objects. Because sulfur dioxide makes things appear colorless by removing oxygen, it has been employed as a bleaching agent. But unlike chlorine, it just briefly bleaches.

2. Food Preservative: This gas is used as a food preservative. Foods include dried fruits, canned coconut milk, beer, wine, and soft drinks. Sulfur dioxide's capacity to maintain food color leads to it as a food preservative. Lemon juice that contains sulfur dioxide may remain yellow.

3. Disinfectant: Sulfur dioxide has been utilized as a disinfectant in addition to the two main purposes mentioned above. When combined with other compounds, these chemicals can form sulfuric acid, which kills germs in things.

4. Refrigerant: People are becoming more conscious of the impacts of this gas on the environment and the human body. This is why people no longer frequently utilize sulfur dioxide as a refrigerant. However, in the past, this specific chemical was frequently utilized as a refrigerant.

5. Winemaking: SO2 is essential to the process of creating wine. Its primary purpose is to maintain the wine's freshness. Sulfur dioxide's antimicrobial and antioxidant qualities may help keep the wine from worsening.

6. Antioxidant: Sulfur dioxide also functions as an antioxidant and helps retain food's appearance.

How Sulfur Dioxide Enters the Body?

It enters the body in the following ways:

• Ingestion (swallowing): Consuming sulfur dioxide-preserved food.

• Inhalation (breathing): Breathing air contaminated with sulfur dioxide and volcanic eruptions.

• Skin Contact: Touching sulfur dioxide liquid.

Who Are at Risk?

Those who are sulfur dioxide sensitive include:

• At greater SO2 levels, people with respiratory conditions, including asthma, chronic bronchitis, and emphysema, typically experience more severe health impacts.

• Because their lungs are still maturing, children are more susceptible to the effects of SO2 exposure. Additionally, they are more likely to develop asthma, which can worsen when exposed to SO2.

• Because they are more likely to have heart or lung problems, older persons may be more impacted by SO2 exposure.

• Sulfur dioxide exposure is higher in physically active people of all ages who work out or exercise outside than in less active people.

What Health Effects Does Sulfur Dioxide Have?

Various effects of sulfur dioxide on health are as follows:

• When sulfur dioxide and water interact, it quickly turns into sulfurous acid. In addition to inducing bronchoconstriction, it also irritates the mucosa of the nasopharynx, respiratory tract, and conjunctiva.

• Acute exposures may result in classic irritating gas symptoms such as coughing, lacrimation, and burning of the eyes, nose, and throat.

• Wheezing, chemical bronchitis (inflammation of the bronchi), and laryngospasm (contraction of vocal cords causing difficulty in speech and breathing) are more serious symptoms.

• Patients may get noncardiogenic pulmonary edema and chemical pneumonitis (inflammation of the lungs) due to significant exposures.

• Noncardiogenic pulmonary edema is a medical condition that leads to sudden low oxygen levels due to a fast decline in respiratory health.

• Exposures between 400 and 500 ppm are regarded as immediately fatal.

• Reactive airway disease syndrome (a group of symptoms due to contraction of the bronchi) and chronic bronchitis (inflammation of the bronchi) may occur in survivors of high-concentration exposure.

• Serious skin (chemical burn) and frostbite injuries can result from skin contact with liquid sulfur dioxide.

• Sulfur dioxide eye exposures may initially cause eye discomfort due to the production of sulfurous acid. However, contact with liquefied sulfur dioxide can seriously harm the cornea and result in blindness.

How Can Sulfur Dioxide Emissions Into the Air Be Reduced?

The concentration of sulfur dioxide in the air is reduced in the following ways:

In-Home Source:

• One can take a few precautions to reduce exposure to SO2 from indoor sources. The first rule is that people should not smoke or use a fireplace or wood stove in their houses. In addition to increasing the risk of gas poisoning, it can cause home fires and explosions.

• A motorcycle or car's fuel engine is never kept inside the home. Experts also advise using gas appliances with electrical ignition to eliminate gaseous emissions, even at low concentrations.

• Using a ventilation fan or installing a gas detector are excellent ideas for young children or elderly family members. It keeps the air fresh and aids in recirculation.

In Power Plants:

• Power plants frequently release more sulfur dioxide than indoor sources.

• One of the straightforward ways to remove sulfur dioxide (SO2) from waste gasoline, particularly from the gas used in industrial furnaces, is by having water absorb the SO2.

• The process of SO2 gas absorption by limestone or calcined lime is also used in some companies or incinerators.

• Factory and industrial locations must be spacious and away from residential areas.

• Additionally, many trees are planted nearby to clean the air in these areas.

• Additionally, standard emission detection and warning systems are included in fuel incinerators. Additionally, they must adhere to state emission standards and rules and guarantee environmental safety.

Conclusion

Sulfur dioxide's harmful impacts on health serve as a reminder that health and the environment around human beings are at risk. Everyone should consider preventive measures to reduce the concentrations of sulfur dioxide in the atmosphere.