What is “Sulfur Dioxide” (SO2)?
Sulfur Dioxide (SO2) is a highly toxic air contaminant that is formed when fuels containing sulfur, like coal and oil, are burned and released to the air. Once released, SO2 is easily converted to sulfuric acid, which is the major component in acid rain, and to sulfate particles, which contribute to tens of thousands of premature deaths each year. SO2 can be carried in the wind for hundreds of miles and often crosses state and international borders. Sulfuric acid and sulfate particles are extremely harmful to both public health and the environment.
