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ACID PRECIPITATION: EFFECTS OF SULFUR DIOXIDE AND SULFATE AEROSOL PARTICLES ON HUMAN HEALTH
Citation:
Coffin, D. AND J. Knelson. ACID PRECIPITATION: EFFECTS OF SULFUR DIOXIDE AND SULFATE AEROSOL PARTICLES ON HUMAN HEALTH. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, D.C., EPA/600/J-76/067 (NTIS PB268139).
Description:
While human health impairment has been attributed to pollution by sulfur dioxide (SO2), data from inhalation studies in animals show that its oxidation products are more irritating. Population surveys in which suspended sulfate was a co-variant suggest that certain health parameters are associated more strongly with sulfate than with SO2. Recent work with biological models indicate that the sulfates and sulfuric acid act on the lung through the release of histamine and the degree of release is related to the specific cation present. Attention should be given to sulfates and specific cations in atmospheric monitoring.