Biological effects of short, high-level exposure to gases: sulfur dioxide. Phase report, May 1979-May 1980

Technical Report · Thu May 01 00:00:00 EDT 1980

OSTI ID:5818460

Normandy, M J; Szlyk, P; Brienza, B

This report presents an analysis and synthesis of the available literature concerned with possible health effects of exposures to sulfur dioxide. The U.S. Army is concerned with short, high-level exposures to sulfur dioxide that may exceed present threshold limit values of the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (5 ppm, 13 mg/cu m as a time-weighted average. The organ systems primarily affected by exposure to sulfur dioxide are the respiratory tract and the eyes. Certain neurologic effects (including suppression of dark adaptation and decreased light sensitivity) are of unknown significance and warrant further study. Below about 5 ppm, there are no significant irritant or pulmonary effects. Between 5 and 8 ppm (13 and 20.8 mg/cu m), most people will experience coughing, moderate irritation of the eyes, nose, and throat, and bronchoconstriction. At about 10 ppm (26 mg/cu m), moderate to severe eye irritation.

• Research Organization: Enviro Control, Inc., Rockville, MD (USA)
• OSTI ID: 5818460
• Report Number(s): AD-A-094504
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
SULFUR DIOXIDE
BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS
ACUTE EXPOSURE
CHEMICAL PROPERTIES
DOSE-RESPONSE RELATIONSHIPS
EYES
GASES
MILITARY PERSONNEL
NEUROLOGY
RESPIRATION
RESPIRATORY SYSTEM DISEASES
SYNTHESIS
TOXIC MATERIALS
TOXICITY
BODY
BODY AREAS
CHALCOGENIDES
DISEASES
FACE
FLUIDS
HEAD
MATERIALS
MEDICINE
ORGANS
OXIDES
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PERSONNEL
SENSE ORGANS
SULFUR COMPOUNDS
SULFUR OXIDES
560306* - Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology- Man- (-1987)