Sulfur dioxide (SO2)

Sulfur dioxide is a gas. It is invisible and has a nasty, sharp smell. It reacts easily with other
substances to form harmful compounds, such as sulfuric acid, sulfurous acid and sulfate
particles.
About 99% of the sulfur dioxide in air comes from human sources. The main source of sulfur
dioxide in the air is industrial activity that processes materials that contain sulfur, eg the
generation of electricity from coal, oil or gas that contains sulfur. Some mineral ores also contain
sulfur, and sulfur dioxide is released when they are processed. In addition, industrial activities
that burn fossil fuels containing sulfur can be important sources of sulfur dioxide.
Sulfur dioxide is also present in motor vehicle emissions, as the result of fuel combustion. In the
past, motor vehicle exhaust was an important, but not the main, source of sulfur dioxide in air.
However, this is no longer the case.

Affect to human health

Sulfur dioxide affects human health when it is breathed in. It irritates the nose, throat, and
airways to cause coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath, or a tight feeling around the chest. The
effects of sulfur dioxide are felt very quickly and most people would feel the worst symptoms in
10 or 15 minutes after breathing it in.
Those most at risk of developing problems if they are exposed to sulfur dioxide are people with
asthma or similar conditions.

Environmental Effects: Sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides are the major precursors of acid
rain, which has acidified soils, lakes and streams, accelerated corrosion of buildings and
monuments, and reduced visibility. Sulfur dioxide also is a major precursor of fine particulate
soot, which poses a significant health threat.

Sources: Combustion of fuel containing sulfur -- mostly coal and oil. Also produced during
metal smelting and other industrial processes.
 What's being done to manage sulfur dioxide?
Because of the adverse health effects of high levels of sulfur dioxide, the Australian Government
has taken steps to manage and reduce the amount of sulfur dioxide produced. These include:
 implementing national fuel quality standards;
 supporting the implementation of tighter vehicle emission standards; and
 promoting alternative fuels.
In 1999, the average sulfur content of diesel was 1300 parts per million (ppm). In December
2002, a new standard was introduced, reducing the maximum sulfur content of diesel to 500
ppm. Sulfur emissions attributed to the transport sector will be further reduced in the future. By
2008, the sulfur level in premium unleaded petrol will be 50 parts per million and, by 2009,
sulfur levels in diesel will be 10 parts per million.
Through the National Environment Protection Council, the Australian, State and Territory
Governments have also agreed on a National Environment Protection Measure for Ambient1Air
Quality. The Measure includes national standards for six key pollutants, including sulfur dioxide.
(See fact sheet on National Standards for Criteria Air Pollutants in Australia) One of the aims of
the Measure is to keep sulfur dioxide in outdoor air below the following levels by 2008:
 0.20 ppm (parts per million) averaged over a one hour period
 0.08 ppm averaged over a 24 hour period
 0.02 ppm averaged over a one year period.
Most areas in Australia met these standards well ahead of the 2008 timeline.