Sulfur dioxide ingestion

Colorless to yellow to reddish fuming liquid with a pungent, suffocating odor like sulfur dioxide. This material is hazardous through inhalation, skin absorption, penetration through broken skin, and ingestion, and produces local skin/eye impacts. 

Three different mechanisms have been proposed to explain the reaction to sulfites in asthmatic patients. The first is explained by the inhalation of sulfur dioxide, which produces bronchoconstriction in aU asthmatics through direct stimulation of afferent parasympathetic irritant receptors. Furthermore, inhalation of atropine or the ingestion of doxepin protects sulfite-sensitive patients from reacting to the ingestion of sulfites. The second theory, IgE-mediated reaction, is supported by reported cases of sulfite-sensitive anaphylaxis reaction in patients with positive sulfite skin test. Finally, a reduced concentration of sulfite oxidase enzyme (the enzyme that catalyzes oxidation of sulfites to sulfates) compared with normal individuals has been demonstrated in a group of sulfite-sensitive asthmatics. 

A large number of toxic or pharmacologically active substances may be ingested in foods. Most of these substances will produce similar effects in the majority of people who consume them. Although some individuals are particularly sensitive to the usual pharmacological effects of some of these agents (e.g., caffeine, alcohol, sulfur dioxide), others react in a qualitatively different way. 

SAFETY PROFILE Poison by ingestion and inhalation. A corrosive irritant to skin, eyes (at 2 ppm), and mucous membranes. Potentially explosive reaction with chlorobenzene + sodium, dimethyl sulfoxide, molten sodium, chromyl chloride, nitric acid, sodium peroxide, oxygen (above 100°C), tetravinyl lead. Reacts with carboxylic acids (e.g., acetic acid) to form violently unstable products. Violent reaction or ignition with Al, chromium pentafluoride, diallyl phosphite + allyl alcohol, F2, hexafluoroisopropylideneaminolithium, hydroxylamine, iodine chloride, PbOa, HNO2, organic matter, potassium, selenium dioxide, sulfur acids (e.g., sulfuric acid. 

SAFETY PROFILE Poison by ingestion and intraperitoneal routes. A trace mineral added to animal feeds. Potentially explosive reaction with charcoal + ozone, metals (e.g., powdered aluminum, copper), arsenic carbon, phosphoms, sulfur, alkali metal hydrides, alkaline earth metal hydrides, antimony sulfide, arsenic sulfide, copper sulfide, tin sulfide, metal cyanides, metal thiocyanates, manganese dioxide, phosphorus. Violent reaction with organic matter. When heated to decomposition it emits very toxic fumes of I and K2O. See also lODATES. 

SAFETY PROFILE Mildly toxic by ingestion. An experimental teratogen. Mutation data reported. Vigorous reaction with nitric acid or sulfuric acid (forms carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide). When heated to decomposition it emits acrid smoke and irritating fumes. 

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