| Agent Name | Sulfur dioxide |
|---|---|
| CAS Number | 7446-09-5 |
| Formula | O2-S |
| Major Category | Toxic Gases & Vapors |
| Synonyms | Sulfurous acid anhydride; Sulfurous oxide; Sulfur oxide; [NIOSH] |
| Category | Corrosive Gases |
| Description | Colorless gas with a characteristic, irritating, pungent odor. [Note: A liquid below 14 degrees F. Shipped as a liquefied compressed gas.] [NIOSH] |
| Sources/Uses | Formed as a byproduct of burning sulfur-containing materials; used for bleaching, disinfecting, and fumigating; [ACGIH] Used to preserve fruits and other foods; manufacture molasses, wine, and beer; bleach textile fibers; tan leather; pulp wood; manufacture lithium batteries and glass; treat water; and refine oil and metal; [HSDB] |
| Comments | Listed as one of "major irritant airborne toxicants"; [LaDou, p. 523] Possible frostbite from contact with liquid; [NIOSH] In the presence of water and acid, metabisulfite, a preservative, can generate toxic amounts of SO2. [ATSDR Med. Manage. Guidelines] The following chemicals can release SO2 when spilled in water: Sulfur chlorides; Sodium, Calcium & Zinc hydrosulfite; and Thionyl chloride. [ERG 2012] See the Process, "Toxic Gas from Spilling Chemical in Water." Sulfur dioxide is fibrogenic to the lungs in the context of an acute inhalation exposure complicated by bronchiolitis obliterans. [LaDou, p. 330] |
| Reference Link | |
| Exposure Assessment | |
| Skin Designation (ACGIH) | Insufficient data |
| TIH | Yes |
| STEL (ACGIH) | 0.25 ppm |
| PEL (OSHA) | 5 ppm |
| MAK | 0.5 ppm |
| IDLH (NIOSH) | 100 ppm |
| Excerpts from Documentation for IDLHs | The maximum concentration for exposures of 0.5 to 1 hour is considered to be 50 to 100 ppm [Henderson and Haggard 1943]. It has been reported that 400 to 500 ppm is considered dangerous for even short periods of exposure [Henderson and Haggard 1943]. |
| Odor Threshold Low | 0.33 ppm |
| Odor Threshold High | 5 ppm |
| RD50 | 117 ppm |
| Lethal Concentration | LC50 (rat) = 2,520 ppm/1H |
| Explanatory Notes | Detection odor threshold from AIHA (mean = 2.7); Boiling point = -10 deg C; [ICSC] |
| Half Life | No reports found; [TDR, p. 1098] |
| Reference Link | |
| Adverse Effects | |
| Chronic Bronchitis | Yes |
| Toxic Pneumonitis | Yes |
| Fibrogenic | Yes |
| IARC Carcinogen | Not Classifiable |
| Links to Other NLM Databases | |
| Health Studies | Human Health Effects from Hazardous Substances Data Bank: |
| Toxicity Information | |
| Chemical Information | |
| Biomedical References | |
| Related Information in HazMap | |
| Diseases | Occupational diseases associated with exposure to this agent: |
| Processes | Industrial Processes with risk of exposure:
|
| Activities | Activities with risk of exposure: |
Agent Name
Sulfur dioxide
CAS Number
7446-09-5
Formula
O2-S
Major Category
Toxic Gases & Vapors
Synonyms
Sulfurous acid anhydride; Sulfurous oxide; Sulfur oxide; [NIOSH]
Category
Corrosive Gases
Description
Colorless gas with a characteristic, irritating, pungent odor. [Note: A liquid below 14 degrees F. Shipped as a liquefied compressed gas.] [NIOSH]
Sources/Uses
Formed as a byproduct of burning sulfur-containing materials; used for bleaching, disinfecting, and fumigating; [ACGIH] Used to preserve fruits and other foods; manufacture molasses, wine, and beer; bleach textile fibers; tan leather; pulp wood; manufacture lithium batteries and glass; treat water; and refine oil and metal; [HSDB]
Comments
Listed as one of "major irritant airborne toxicants"; [LaDou, p. 523] Possible frostbite from contact with liquid; [NIOSH] In the presence of water and acid, metabisulfite, a preservative, can generate toxic amounts of SO2. [ATSDR Med. Manage. Guidelines] The following chemicals can release SO2 when spilled in water: Sulfur chlorides; Sodium, Calcium & Zinc hydrosulfite; and Thionyl chloride. [ERG 2012] See the Process, "Toxic Gas from Spilling Chemical in Water." Sulfur dioxide is fibrogenic to the lungs in the context of an acute inhalation exposure complicated by bronchiolitis obliterans. [LaDou, p. 330]
Reference Link
Exposure Assessment
Skin Designation (ACGIH)
Insufficient data
TIH
Yes
STEL (ACGIH)
0.25 ppm
PEL (OSHA)
5 ppm
MAK
0.5 ppm
IDLH (NIOSH)
100 ppm
Excerpts from Documentation for IDLHs
The maximum concentration for exposures of 0.5 to 1 hour is considered to be 50 to 100 ppm [Henderson and Haggard 1943]. It has been reported that 400 to 500 ppm is considered dangerous for even short periods of exposure [Henderson and Haggard 1943].
Odor Threshold Low
0.33 ppm
Odor Threshold High
5 ppm
RD50
117 ppm
Lethal Concentration
LC50 (rat) = 2,520 ppm/1H
Explanatory Notes
Detection odor threshold from AIHA (mean = 2.7); Boiling point = -10 deg C; [ICSC]
Half Life
No reports found; [TDR, p. 1098]
Reference Link
Adverse Effects
Chronic Bronchitis
Yes
Toxic Pneumonitis
Yes
Fibrogenic
Yes
IARC Carcinogen
Not Classifiable
Links to Other NLM Databases
Toxicity Information
Chemical Information
Biomedical References
Related Information in HazMap
Diseases
Occupational diseases associated with exposure to this agent:
Processes
Industrial Processes with risk of exposure:
- Aluminum Producing
- Battery Manufacturing
- Cement Producing
- Farming (Pesticides)
- Forging
- Glass Manufacturing
- Leather Tanning and Processing
- Metal Extraction and Refining
- Molding and Core Making
- Petroleum Production and Refining
- Photographic Processing
- Pulp and Paper Processing
- Sewer and Wastewater Treatment
- Smelting Copper or Lead
- Steel Producing
- Textiles (Fiber & Fabric Manufacturing)
- Using Disinfectants or Biocides
Activities
Activities with risk of exposure: