Sulphur dioxide

How is sulfur used in everyday life? Why is sulphur dioxide used by winemakers? What effect does sulfur dioxide have on the human body?

Sulfur dioxide for this purpose is made when sulfur combines with oxygen. Several billion kilograms are produced annually for this purpose.

It occurs in nature in volcanic gases and in solution in the waters of some warm springs. Exposure to sulfur dioxide may cause irritation to the eyes, nose, and throat. Symptoms include: nasal mucus, choking, cough, and reflex bronchi constriction, and when liquid: frostbite Workers may be harmed from exposure to sulfur dioxide. Sulfur Dioxide (SO 2) is one of a group of gases called sulfur oxides (SO x).

The other gases in the group are much less common in the atmosphere. Sulfuric acid is a major component of acid rain. 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. For people who are sensitive to the preservative or have asthma, the health risks of sulfur dioxide in dried fruit can range from mild to severe. Sulphur dioxide is widely used in the food and drinks industries for its properties as a preservative and antioxidant. Whilst harmless to healthy persons when used in recommended concentrations, it can induce asthma when inhaled or ingested by sensitive subjects, even in high dilution. The method of converting sulfur dioxide to sulfuric acid is called the contact process.

Most sulfur dioxide in the air comes from the burning of coal and oil in power plants. It will react with water or steam to produce toxic and corrosive fumes. An entry published on the open chemistry database Pub Chem reveals that the harmful chemical is commonly used as a preservative and as a disinfectant for food containers and fermentation equipment. The greenhouse gas emission that is sulfur dioxide is colorless, but has a repugnant taste and odor, and is also an irritant.

Surprisingly, albeit this greenhouse gas contributes to acid rain and climate change, it is also harnessed in industrial food production methods to preserve foods from spoiling and becoming brown in color. The primary anthropogenic sources of sulfur dioxide emissions are the burning of high-sulfur coals and heating oils in power plants, followed by industrial boilers and metal smelting. SO forms when sulfur-containing fuel such as coal, oil, or diesel is burned. Liquid sulphur dioxide leaks are far more dangerous than a corresponding gas leak since, on evaporation, kg of liquid sulphur dioxide yields about 3litres of gas at 15°C and 3litres at 25°C.

In nature, sulfur dioxide can be released to. It smells like burnt matches. It also smells suffocating.

It can be produced by burning sulfur. Mixture Not applicable SECTION 4: First aid measures 4. Description of first aid measures First-aid measures after inhalation : Remove to fresh air and keep at rest in a position comfortable for breathing. It is poisonous and has a strong odor.

If not breathing, give artificial respiration.