Risk perception bulletin. Sulfur dioxide

What is sulfur dioxide?

Sulfur dioxide is a dense, colorless gas with a pungent odor at room temperature. It can be quickly cooled or pressurized to form a colorless liquid. Sulfur dioxide can be quickly dissolved in water to create sulfuric or sulfuric acids.

Sulfur dioxide and to a lesser extent sulfuric acid are generated during the combustion of fossil fuels and, above all, coal, for example in kitchen ovens, also in the refining of metals, ores and smelting processes, which include copper and aluminum.

Sulfur dioxide is a common air pollutant, created primarily by the combustion of fossil fuels (coal, natural gas, and petroleum products), but also from forest fires/grass bonfires and volcanic eruptions.

A large number of occupational exposures and deaths occur when encountering gas at entrances to confined spaces.

How could sulfur dioxide affect me?

Workplace exposures to sulfur dioxide can cause a wide variety of harmful health effects: some may arise from acute, short-term exposures, others from chronic, repetitive, and long-term exposures.

Acute health effects due to production or manufacturing

• Eye and upper respiratory tract irritation
• Skin irritation (such as sulphuric acid)
• Gastrointestinal problems
• Possible trigger for an asthma attack in some people
• Cough, wheezing, shortness of breath and even chest pain
• Pulmonary edema and death

Chronic health effects due to metallurgical production or manufacturing

• Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), also known as COPD
• Reduced lung function

Medical information:

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a serious chronic lung disease, resulting in an irreversible stenosis of the airways over time, which reduces airflow to the lungs, due to inflammation of the airways and lesions in the lung tissue.

In extreme cases, reduced airflow to the lungs is very disabling and can be fatal. Other symptoms are chronic cough (more than 3 months a year), wheezing and increased sputum production.

COPD includes the presentation of bronchitis and emphysema.

When do workplace exposures occur?

Inhalation

Workplace exposures to sulphur dioxide in manufacturing and metallurgical production come from inhalation of the gas, often generated as a byproduct of metal production or other processes.

Fur

The secondary mode of exposure is through contact with the skin and eyes, particularly if the beryllium is in a liquid state, which can easily pass through the skin or cause skin lesions.

Activities/applications in which occupational exposures may occur.

Examples of applications in metallurgical manufacturing and production and also other industries and processes where people may be exposed to sulfur dioxide:

Production of metals, metal fabrication and related aspects

• Metal castings and metal coating
• Smelting sulfide ores to generate copper, zinc and other metals
• Coke ovens
• Pyrolysis of solvents and degreasers on the metal surface during welding to form sulfur dioxide

Other applications

• Textile and paper industries due to bleaching properties, biocides and preservatives
• Oil, gas and chemical sectors
• Exhaust emissions from vehicles
• Electric plants
• Mining
• Food sector as a preservative

What can I do to protect myself?

Use appropriate controls

Companies should carry out a risk assessment in addition to determining exposure levels against exposure limits to know what control measures they may need.

If necessary, the controls in the hierarchy of controls should be implemented and their effectiveness measured. For example, localized extraction (LEV) systems can be a highly effective engineering control, used in welding, sanding, and many other applications.

Get the necessary equipment.

In addition to implementing other control measures, the use of personal protective equipment (PPE), such as respiratory protective equipment (PPE), is usually required to minimise exposure and risk to workers.

Respiratory protective equipment (RPE): half masks with filtering

3M has a wide range of EPRs that can help minimise exposure to dust, haze, metal fumes, ozone and also to other gases and vapours commonly encountered in metal manufacturing and production, from disposable particle masks to reusable full masks and masks, to battery-powered air purification masks combined with a variety of resistant masks, head units and helmets.

Respiratory protective equipment (RPE): supplied air half masks

3M it also has a wide variety of semi-masks with continuous and on-demand valve air supply, suitable for use in some of the most demanding working environments.

Other PPE

• 3M it also offers a wide variety of different safety solutions you need to work safely, comfortably and effectively, such as:
• Protection of face, eyes and head
• Reusable and disposable earmuffs and earplugs
• Communications solutions
• Disposable and reusable protective clothing
• Gloves suitable for hand and skin protection
• Protection against falls
• Solutions for confined spaces
• Individual gas and fixed detection systems
• Fixed flame detection solutions

References

Smedley, et al: Smedley, J, Dick, F and Sadhra, S. Oxford Handbook of Occupational Health (second edition). It's 2013.

In order to ensure the proper functioning of the system, the manufacturer shall ensure that the manufacturer complies with the following requirements:. Threshold Limit Values for Chemical Substances and Physical Agents & Biological Exposure Indices (TLVs(R) and BEIs(R)). 2018

ATSDR: Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR). Toxic Substances Portal - Sulfur Dioxide. [En línea] [consultado el 26 de septiembre de 2018 ]. . https://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/substances/toxsubstance.asp?toxid=46.

NIOSH Pocket Guide: The National Institute for Occupational Safety and health (NIOSH). NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards. [En línea] [consultado el 22 de no viembre 2018]. . https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/npg/default.html.

Nemery: Metal toxicity and respiratory tract. Nemery, B. 1990, Eu Respir J, Vol. 202-219.

United Kingdom: Health and Safety Executive (HSE). G401 COSHH essentials - Health monitoring for chronic obstructive plumonary disease. [En línea] [consultado el 1 de octubre de 2018]. . http://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/guidance/g401.pdf.

Public Health England. Sulfur dioxide - General Information. [En línea] [consultado el 1 octubre de 2018]. . https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/318234/hpa_Sulphur_dioxide_General_Information_v1.pdf.

Australia: Sulfur dioxide (SO2) - Air quality fact sheet. Australian Government - Department of Environment and Energy. [En línea] [consultado el 24 de septiembre de 2018]. . http://www.environment.gov.au/protection/publications/factsheet-sulfur-dioxide-so2.

Other: Occupational and Environmental Health in the Aluminum Industry - Key Points for Health Practitioners. The Commission therefore concludes that the measure is compatible with the internal market. S5 TO S11.

Occupational health and safety risks associated with sulphur dioxide. Badenhorst, C J. 2007, The Journal of the Southern African Institute of Mining and Metallurgy, Vol. 107, pp. 299 to 303.

Pulmonary Impairment from Chronic Exposure to Sulfur Dioxide in a Smelter. Smith, T J, et al. 1, 1977, American Review of Respiratory Disease, Vol. 116.

The World Bank Group. Pollution and Prevention and Abatement Handbook 1998. It's 1999.

Hazard Awareness Bulletin - Sulfur Dioxide