Sulfur oxide inhalation

Meng Z, Qin G, Zhang B, et al. (2003) Oxidative damage of sulfur dioxide inhalation on lungs and hearts of mice. Environmental Research 93(3) 285-292. 

Flammability and Explosibility Hydrogen sulfide is flammable in air in the range of 4.3 to 45.5% (NFPA rating = 4). Combustion products (sulfur oxides) are also toxic by inhalation. In the event of a hydrogen sulfide fire, stop the flow of gas if possible without risk of harmful exposure and let the fire burn itself out. 

Atmospheric sulfur oxides (sulfur dioxide and sulfur trioxide) primarily come from the combustion of sulfur-containing coal [36]. Inhalation of sulfur dioxide rapidly causes the onset of bronchospastic effects after exposure [32]. 

Coal fly ash also contains metal and sulfur oxides and traee amounts of unbumed earbon and condensed organic material. Ash Ifom fluidized bed combustors has a similar composition, but is less spherical and more irregular in shape. Most coal-powered plants in developed countries use some form of ash colleetion and release only a small portion of the smallest particles into the environment. Workers may be exposed to the collected ash by inhalation when servicing the collection devices and the combustor, disposing of the ash, and handling ash during its use in the manufacture of other materials, such as concrete. The annual U.S. production of coal fly ash is on the order of 100 million tons. 

Liquid sulfur trioxide may be purchased in stabilized form as Sulfan B," m.p. 17°, b.p. about 45°. Caution must be exercised in handling sulfur trioxide. The liquid is highly corrosive to the skin and the vapor may cause injury if inhaled. The powerful oxidizing and dehydrating effects of sulfur trioxide should not... 

Although a nonflammable gas, it reacts explosively with many substances, including organics, metals, metal sulfides, sulfur, phosphorus, nitric oxide, ammonia, carbon disulfide, metal hydrides, and charcoal. It is a severe irritant to the eyes, nose, skin, and respiratory tract. Inhalation of the gas at 100 ppm can be fatal to humans. 

Hazards Extinguish all flames before using acetone, which is highly volatile and flammable. Calcium hypochlorite is a powerful oxidizer, and should never be mixed with concentrated sulfuric acid explosions will result. Chloroform inhalation should be avoided, but is not threatening in mild conditions. Benzene, toluene, and xylene are suspected carcinogens so avoid prolonged exposure to fumes and vapors. 

SAFETY PROFILE Poison by intraperitoneal route. Human blood and gastrointestinal system effects by inhalation. Questionable carcinogen. See also ANTIMONY COMPOUNDS and SULFIDES. Spontaneously flammable when exposed to strong oxidizers. Flammable when exposed to heat or flame. Moderately explosive by spontaneous reaction with chlorates, perchlorates, CIO, thallic oxide. When heated to decomposition or on contact with acid or acid fumes it emits highly toxic fumes of oxides of sulfur and antimony. Will react with water or steam to produce toxic and flammable vapors. 

Three studies of one mining population were located that equivocally associated reproductive effects in humans following inhalation exposure to uranium. The studies reported that male uranium miners were found to have more first-born female children than expected, suggesting that uranium s alpha radiation damaged the y-chromosomes of the miners (Muller et al. 1967 Waxweiler et al. 1981b Wiese 1981). In addition, it is not certain if the effect described is from exposure to uranium because the workers were also exposed to Rn, chlorine, hydrofluoric acid, lead sulfate, nickel, nitric acid and nitrogen oxides, silicon dioxide, and sulfuric acid (Dupree et al. 1987). 

The primary routes of potential human exposure to coke oven emissions are inhalation and dermal contact. Occupational exposure to coke oven emissions may occur for those workers in the aluminum, steel, graphite, electrical, and construction industries. Coke oven emissions can have a deleterious effect on human health. Coke oven emissions contain literally several thousand compounds, several of which are known carcinogens and/or cocarcinogens including polycyclic organic matter from coal tar pitch volatiles, jS-naphthylamine, benzene, arsenic, beryllium, cadmium, chromate, lead, nickel subsulfide, nitric oxide, and sulfur dioxide. Most regulatory attention has been paid to coal tar pitch volatiles. 

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