Abstract |
Studies of atmospheric chemistry have shown that under certain conditions sulfur dioxide can be converted to sulfuric acid and particulate sulfates. Air quality criteria and standards for sulfur dioxide should, therefore, take into account the irritant potency of these oxidation products, recognizing that both sulfur dioxide and its degradation products can react further with other air pollutant constituents. The document reviews toxicity studies conducted in experimental animals, and toxicity studies involving human subjects. The data presented on animal studies examines the effect of sulfuric acid mist particle size and exposure duration on mortality and pathology studies. It also reviews the findings of related studies of pulmonary function. The review presents, from human studies, data which discusses subjective and physiological responses to irritative properties of sulfuric acid mist, and sensory and central nervous system responses to sulfuric acid mist. (Author) |