Sulfur Dioxide and its Health Effects

This research explores the health effects of sulfur dioxide, categorizing them into respiratory system, skin, eyes, and long-term effects. It discusses the symptoms and complications associated with exposure to high concentrations of sulfur dioxide, as well as the risks for different populations. The research also highlights the sources of sulfur dioxide and its impacts on the environment.

Running Head: HEALTH EFFECTS OF SULFUR DIOXIDE 1
Sulfur Dioxide and its Health Effects
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Sulfur Dioxide and its Health Effects
In this research, the Canadian Centre for Occupational Health categorized the health
effects of sulfur dioxide into four depending on the body part affected. The four categories were:
respiratory system, skin, eyes and other long term effects which were also referred to as chronic
exposure. According to the paper, when inhaled, sulfur dioxide was very toxic and could easily
lead to death. The gas caused severe irritation of the throat and the nose. When under high
concentrations, it led to the accumulation of fluid in the lungs, a condition is known as
pulmonary edema which was life-threatening. Pulmonary edema had symptoms like shortness of
breath, persistent coughing, difficulties when breathing and tightness in the chest. A single
exposure to high concentrations of sulfur dioxide could also lead to long-lasting complications
like asthma.
When directed on the skin, the gas was highly corrosive and could easily irritate or burn
the skin which resulted in permanent scaring appearances. When liquefied, its direct contact with
the skin chilled and frozen the skin. This condition was known as mild frostbite. It was
characterized by symptoms like itching, prickling, and numbness. Eye contact, on the other hand,
caused irritation and eye burns. Under extreme conditions, the gas could lead to blindness.
Lastly, the long term or chronic exposure was associated with respiratory system complications
which were characterized by irritation and inflamed on the airways.
This research associated sulfur dioxide with a number of health problems. First, it
revealed that sulfur dioxide irritated the skin and the mucous membranes of the nose, eyes,
throat, and lungs. According to the research, the impacts of sulfur dioxide intensified with the
concentration of the gas. When inhaled at high concentrations, it led to inflammation and

HEALTH EFFECTS OF SULFUR DIOXIDE 3
irritation of the entire respiratory system, especially when the victim was undertaking vigorous
physical activities. The common symptoms associated with this condition were; pain when
taking deep breaths, breathing difficulties, throat irritation and coughing. When taken in high
concentrations, it was linked with lung complications, worsening asthma attacks and existing
heart diseases. According to this research, victims of lung diseases, children and older adults
were the most affected.
This research revealed that people who were working in industrial facilities which used
sulfur dioxide or released it as a by-product were highly exposed to the risks of sulfur dioxide.
According to this research, when air containing sulfur dioxide is inhaled, it was absorbed into the
body through the nose membrane as well as lungs which were life-threatening especially when
taken in high levels. For people with asthma and other chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases
(COPDs), they were termed as the people at high risk of short term exposure to highly
concentrated sulfur dioxide. Children and older adults were also identified as risk population
when exposed to short term high concentrated sulfur dioxide. Common symptoms associated
with sulfur dioxide inhalation included; tightening of airways in the lungs, shortness of breath,
wheezing and persistent coughs. Others included; irritation on the respiratory system and eyes.
In this research, air pollution was considered as a major concern in the world because of
its impacts on the environment and health. Sulfur dioxide was listed among the major
components of air pollution whose impacts on human health were far-reaching. The main source
of sulfur dioxide was the combustion of fuels which contained sulfur such as coal, petroleum,
and oil. As a severe irritant and a reactive gas, the research revealed that when absorbed through
the nose and the lower respiratory tract, it caused inflammation, constriction and created mucus
by reducing the airway diameter. Depending on its concentration, the gas affected different

HEALTH EFFECTS OF SULFUR DIOXIDE 4
organs differently. For instance, when highly concentrated it was linked with side effects such as
bronchospasm, persistent coughing, edema, vascular changes, and eye irritation. When it reacted
with particulate matters (PM), the resultant gas was termed as highly dangerous on the
respiratory system because of its synergistic impacts.
This research defined sulfur dioxide as a colorless gas with a strong odor which was
formed when fuels containing sulfur like oil and coal were burned. According to this research,
most of the sulfur dioxide in the air came from burning the coal and oil in power plants.
Although it was used as food preservative, the research revealed that when it reacted with
substances in the atmosphere could cause acidic rains. The research also revealed that sulfur
dioxide had both short and long-term health effects. The short term effects were burning of
throat, nose, and lungs, difficulties when breathing, irritation on the respiratory system. Also, the
acidic rain was associated with frostbite and eye irritation effects. On long-term effects of this
gas, the research revealed that it caused changes in the normal functioning of lungs, it caused
shortness of breath and affected the fertility of women as well as men.
Bibliography
Canadian Centre for Occupational Health. (2019, April 11). (none). Retrieved from
https://www.ccohs.ca/Oshanswers/chemicals/chem_profiles/sulfurdi.html
Goudarzi, G., Geravandi, S., Idani, E., Hosseini, S. A., Baneshi, M. M., Yari, A. R., ... &
Ghomeishi, A. (2016). An evaluation of hospital admission respiratory disease attributed
to sulfur dioxide ambient concentration in Ahvaz from 2011 through
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Kermani, M., Jokandan, S. F., Aghaei, M., Asl, F. B., Karimzadeh, S., & Dowlati, M. (2016).
Estimation of the Number of Excess Hospitalizations Attributed to Sulfur Dioxide in Six
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Outdoor Air Quality Sulphur Dioxide (SO2). (2019, April 04). Retrieved from
https://www.healthlinkbc.ca/healthlinkbc-files/sulphur-dioxide
Sulfur Dioxide Effects on Health. (n.d.). Retrieved from
https://www.nps.gov/subjects/air/humanhealth-sulfur.htm