Sulphur Dioxide and Its Impact

SULPHUR DIOXIDE AND ITS IMPACT ON HUMANS:

Sulphur dioxide is a chemical that is extremely irritating to the eyes, mucous membranes, skin and respiratory tract. Sulphur dioxide dissolves in the moisture on skin, eyes and mucous membranes to form Sulphurous acid. This chemical leads to irritation and also disrupts the mucous transport phenomenon in the cells in our body.

Short term or Acute Effects:

Respiratory effects: the SO2 in our lungs reacts with moisture to form H2SO3. This H2SO3 causes irritation in the lungs which can be observed due to various symptoms, such as sneezing, sore throat, wheezing, shortness of breath, chest tightness, and a feeling of suffocation. Pulmonary edemas (fluid formation in the lungs) can cause acute airway obstruction. Another problem that can occur is a bronchospasm, which is a sudden constriction of the muscles in the walls of the bronchioles. This can also cause mild to severe difficulty in breathing. However, this hyper reactive response is not an acquired immune response but a hypersensitivity, which people get acclimatized to, 80% of the time. Sulphur dioxide can also increase chronic cardiopulmonary disease. Exposure to high concentrations of Sulphur dioxide can lead to Reactive Airway Dysfunction Syndrome (RADS), a chemical induced type of asthma. Children may be more vulnerable to corrosive agents than adults because of the relatively smaller diameter of their airways.

Dermal Effects: Sulphur dioxide is a severe skin irritant causing stinging pain, redness, and blisters, especially on mucous membranes. Skin contact with compressed gas or liquid Sulphur dioxide can cause frostbite and irritation. Because of their relatively larger surface area to body weight ratio, children are more vulnerable to toxicants that affect the skin.

Ocular Effects: Sulphur dioxide can cause conjunctivitis and corneal burns. Nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain have been reported after inhalation exposure to moderate to high doses of...