Sulfur Dioxide

by Angela
(United States)

how do you detect sulphur dioxide in the air, without fancy equipment?

Barry's Response - Angela:

Sulfur dioxide (SO2) is a heavy, colorless gas with an odor like a struck match; sulfur dioxide can irritate the eyes, nose and respiratory tract. That's probably the easiest way to identify it in an acute basis. Sometimes it has been described as an acidic smell. A sudden breath can produce a burning tickle in the airway and possibly a cough.

If you detect the smell of rotten eggs, then you have found hydrogen sulphide. This is a very strong smelling gas, so strong in fact it can cause your sense of smell to fade after a while. Problem: this gas is toxic and you need to detect it and escape it, and not be fooled into thinking it is dissipating when it's not. People in the Alberta energy industry have died breathing this vapour.

If there is a real danger, you might need to get professional consulting and monitoring in the area.



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