Health effects of respiratory exposure to sulphur dioxide

Posted on September 21st 2015
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Sulphur dioxide is irritating to the eyes, throat and respiratory tract. Short-term overexposure causes inflammation and irritation, resulting in burning of the eyes, coughing, difficulty in breathing and a feeling of chest tightness. Asthmatic individuals are especially sensitive to SO2 (Baxter, 2000) and may respond to concentrations as low as 0.2-0.5 ppm. (quoted from ivhhn.org).

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Health effects of respiratory exposure to sulphur dioxide

(Baxter, 2000; Nemery, 2001; NIOSH 1981; Wellburn, 1994)

Exposure limits (ppm) Exposure limits mg/m3 Equivalent in USEPA AQI Health Effects
1-5 2.8-14.1 1 - 7 Threshold for respiratory response in healthy individuals upon exercise or deep breathing
3-5 4 - 7 Gas is easily noticeable. Fall in lung function at rest and increased airway resistance
5 14.1 7 Increased airway resistance in healthy individuals
6 17 8 Immediate irritation of eyes, nose and throat
10 28 14 Worsening irritation of eyes, nose and throat
10-15 28-42 14-21 Threshold of toxicity for prolonged exposure
20+ 56+ 28+ Paralysis or death occurs after extended exposure
150 420 134 Maximum concentration that can be withstood for a few minutes by healthy individuals
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About the Air Quality and Pollution Measurement:

About the Air Quality Levels

AQIAir Pollution LevelHealth ImplicationsCautionary Statement (for PM2.5)
0 - 50GoodAir quality is considered satisfactory, and air pollution poses little or no riskNone
51 -100ModerateAir quality is acceptable; however, for some pollutants there may be a moderate health concern for a very small number of people who are unusually sensitive to air pollution.Active children and adults, and people with respiratory disease, such as asthma, should limit prolonged outdoor exertion.
101-150Unhealthy for Sensitive GroupsMembers of sensitive groups may experience health effects. The general public is not likely to be affected.Active children and adults, and people with respiratory disease, such as asthma, should limit prolonged outdoor exertion.
151-200UnhealthyEveryone may begin to experience health effects; members of sensitive groups may experience more serious health effectsActive children and adults, and people with respiratory disease, such as asthma, should avoid prolonged outdoor exertion; everyone else, especially children, should limit prolonged outdoor exertion
201-300Very UnhealthyHealth warnings of emergency conditions. The entire population is more likely to be affected.Active children and adults, and people with respiratory disease, such as asthma, should avoid all outdoor exertion; everyone else, especially children, should limit outdoor exertion.
300+HazardousHealth alert: everyone may experience more serious health effectsEveryone should avoid all outdoor exertion

To know more about Air Quality and Pollution, check the wikipedia Air Quality topic or the airnow guide to Air Quality and Your Health.

For very useful health advices of Beijing Doctor Richard Saint Cyr MD, check www.myhealthbeijing.com blog.


Usage Notice: All the Air Quality data are unvalidated at the time of publication, and due to quality assurance these data may be amended, without notice, at any time. The World Air Quality Index project has exercised all reasonable skill and care in compiling the contents of this information and under no circumstances will the World Air Quality Index project team or its agents be liable in contract, tort or otherwise for any loss, injury or damage arising directly or indirectly from the supply of this data.



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