What is sulfur dioxide?

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.
How does sulfur dioxide affect 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.
Effects on health
Sulphur dioxide can cause respiratory problems, such as bronchitis, and it can
irritate your nose, throat and lungs. It may cause coughing, wheezing, phlegm and
asthma attacks. The effects are worse when you are exercising. Sulphur dioxide has
also been linked to cardiovascular disease.
Effects on ecosystems
Sulphur dioxide can cause acid rain that seriously affects ecosystems. Acid rain is a
major problem in the northern hemisphere, where trees and whole forests have
been affected. Acid rain does not occur in New Zealand. However, sulphur dioxide
deposition can affect vegetation around industrial discharges and in cities. Lichens
are good bio-indicators of pollution and do not like to grow where there is sulphur
dioxide in the air.

Nitrogen dioxide is not usually released directly into the air. Nitrogen dioxide forms
when nitrogen oxide (NO) and other nitrogen oxides (NO x) react with other
chemicals in the air to form nitrogen dioxide.
The main source of nitrogen dioxide resulting from human activities is the
combustion of fossil fuels (coal, gas and oil), especially petrol used in cars. In cities,
cars contribute about 80% of ambient nitrogen dioxide. Nitrogen doxide is also
produced from making nitric acid, welding and using explosives. Other sources of
nitrogen dioxide include the refining of petrol and metals, commercial
manufacturing, and food manufacturing. Natural sources of other nitrogen oxides
include volcanoes and bacteria.
Effects on health
The main health effect of nitrogen dioxide is on the respiratory system. Inhalation of
nitrogen dioxide by children increases their risk of respiratory infection and may
lead to poorer lung function in later life. There is also an association between
nitrogen dioxide concentrations in the air and increases in daily mortality and
hospital admissions for respiratory disease. Nitrogen dioxide can decrease the
lungs defences against bacteria, making them more susceptible to infections, and
can also aggravate asthma.
Effects on ecosystems
Nitrogen dioxide is toxic to plants in short-term concentrations of 120 g/m3. It
reduces plant growth. When sulphur dioxide and ozone are also present, the effects
on vegetation are worse. Along with sulphur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide can also
cause acid rain. However, acid rain is not a problem in New Zealand.