Charnwood Borough Council

Sulphur dioxide (SO2) is a soluble gas consisting of one sulphur and two oxygen atoms. On dissolving in water it gives rise to an acidic solution of sulphuric acid.

The principal source of SO2 is the electricity generating power stations followed by other industrial combustion plant - in particular refineries and iron and steel processes. Domestic sources of SO2 can be significant in areas where there is still extensive use of solid fuel fires.

Since 1970 there has been a substantial overall reduction of more than 85% in SO2 emissions.

Sulphur dioxide gives rise to concerns due to its local and global effect. Trans-national transportation of SO2 in the atmosphere followed by its dry and wet deposition (“acid rain”) has accounted for deforestation and lake acidification in continental Europe. In terms of its health effects the acidic nature of dissolved SO2 causes irritation to lung tissue and may provoke attacks of asthma. The onset of these clinical effects can be very rapid after exposure to a sufficiently high concentration of the gas.

Sulphur Dioxide UK Emission Graph

Data and Graph provided by UK National Atmospheric Emission Inventory