The harm of sulfur dioxide to human body

There are always some things around us that we don’t know much about, such as sulfur dioxide, which is also called sulfurous acid. Many people know the harm of sulfuric acid to our body and the harm it will cause if used improperly, but fewer people know about sulfur dioxide, mainly because it is basically not used in daily life. However, we have to understand the harm of sulfur dioxide. Now let us learn about the harm of sulfur dioxide through the following article.

Sulfur dioxide (chemical formula SO2) is the most common and simplest sulfur oxide. One of the main air pollutants. The gas is emitted during volcanic eruptions and is also produced in many industrial processes. Since coal and oil usually contain sulfur, they produce sulfur dioxide when they burn. When sulfur dioxide dissolves in water, it forms sulfurous acid. If sulfurous acid is further oxidized in the presence of PM2.5, sulfuric acid (the main component of acid rain) will be quickly and efficiently generated. This is one reason for concern about the environmental effects of using these fuels as energy sources.

On October 27, 2017, the World Health Organization's International Agency for Research on Cancer published a preliminary list of carcinogens for reference, and sulfur dioxide was on the list of Category 3 carcinogens.

The harm of sulfur dioxide to human body

According to scientific data, sulfur dioxide concentrations in the atmosphere above 0.5 ppm have potential effects on the human body; at 1-3 ppm, most people begin to feel irritation; at 400-500 ppm, people will develop ulcers and pulmonary edema and may even suffocate to death. Acute poisoning: In mild poisoning, tearing, photophobia, coughing, burning pain in the throat and larynx may occur; severe poisoning may cause pulmonary edema within a few hours; inhalation of extremely high concentrations may cause reflex glottal spasm and lead to suffocation. Contact with skin or eyes may cause inflammation or burns. Chronic effects: Long-term exposure to low concentrations may cause systemic symptoms such as headache, dizziness, fatigue, as well as chronic rhinitis, pharyngitis, bronchitis, decreased sense of smell and taste, etc.

Therefore, after inhaling a large amount of sulfur dioxide, the patient should be quickly moved away from the poisoning site to a place with fresh air, loosen the collar, keep warm when the temperature is low, and closely observe the breathing and consciousness state. For those whose breathing and heart have stopped, immediately perform artificial respiration (do not use mouth-to-mouth respiration), chest compressions and other cardiopulmonary resuscitation. Give oxygen immediately, keep the airway open, apply glucocorticoids for a short period of time, and adopt symptomatic, supportive and other comprehensive treatments in a timely and reasonable manner. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy can be used for moderate to severe poisoning when conditions permit. Pay attention to the prevention and treatment of cerebral edema and pulmonary edema. If it splashes into eyes accidentally, rinse immediately with plenty of warm water. Those with severe conditions should be sent to hospital for treatment as soon as possible.