Sulfur Dioxide | Air & Radiation | US EPA

http://www.epa.gov/airquality/sulfurdioxide/
http://www.epa.gov/airquality/sulfurdioxide/

Sulfur Dioxide
Sulfur dioxide (SO ) is one of a group of highly reactive gasses known as oxides of sulfur. The largest sources of SO emissions
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are from fossil fuel combustion at power plants (73%) and other industrial facilities (20%). Smaller sources of SO emissions include
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Announcements May 21, 2013 - two draft technical assistance documents for states implementing the 2010 health-based SO 2 standard are now available for comment. Learn more March 20, 2012 - EPA announces Final Rule on NOx and SOx Secondary Standards Learn More

industrial processes such as extracting metal from ore, and the burning of high sulfur containing fuels by locomotives, large ships, and non-road equipment. SO is linked with a number of adverse effects on the respiratory system.
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EPA first set standards for SO in 1971. EPA set a 24-hour primary standard at 140 ppb and an annual average standard at 30 ppb
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(to protect health). EPA also set a 3-hour average secondary standard at 500 ppb (to protect the public welfare). In 1996, EPA reviewed the SO NAAQS and chose not to revise the standards.
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In 2010, EPA revised the primary SO NAAQS by establishing a new 1-hour standard at a level of 75 parts per billion (ppb). EPA
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revoked the two existing primary standards because they would not provide additional public health protection given a 1-hour standard at 75 ppb. For more information about SO :
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Basic Information - Basics about SO air pollution.

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Health - Effects of SO air pollution.

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SO Primary Standards - Links to technical information related to setting the national air quality standards for SO to protect public health.
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SO Secondary Standards - Links to technical information related to setting the national air quality standards for SO to protect public welfare.
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SO Designations - Regional, state and local information related to SO nonattainment.

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SO Implementation - Programs and requirements for reducing SO air pollution.

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Regulatory Actions - Links to proposed and final rules, fact sheets, and other rulemaking documents. Policy and Guidance - Links to policies and guidance on SO designations and implementation.
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Nonattainment Areas - Status of nonattainment areas (the Green Book) Air Quality Trends - Progress made in reducing SO in the air.
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Air Emission Sources - Summarizes SO air emissions by source at national, state and local levels.
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State Implementation Plan (SIP) Status and Information - identifies how states and EPA work together to ensure that the agency's National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) are met and maintained. Acid Rain - The overall goal of EPA's Acid Rain Program is to achieve significant environmental and public health benefits through reductions in emissions of sulfur dioxide (SO )
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and nitrogen oxides (NOx), the primary causes of acid rain.

Last updated on Saturday, June 29, 2013

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04/Aug/2013 10:01 PM