Where does sulphur in the air come from and how does it effect rain water?
Almost all the sulphur dioxide in the air comes from industrial sources. Industrial smelters, which obtain metals from sulphide ores, produce tones of sulphur dioxide daily. Half of the output of sulphur dioxide comes from the burning of coal. All coal contains between 0.5 and 5 percent sulphur. The sulphur dioxide escapes up chimneys into the atmosphere. Worldwide, 150 million tones a year are emitted. The emission is growing as countries become more industrialized. Most of the coal is burned in power stations. These are always situated in densely populated regions where the demand for electricity is high and where there are plenty to breathe in the sulphur dioxide. Sulphur dioxide is a colourless gas with a very penetrating and irritating smell. It is poisonous; at a level of 0.5%, it will kill. The immediate effects of inhaling sulphur dioxide are coughing, chest pains and shortness of breath. Sulphur dioxide is thought to contribute to bronchitis and lung diseases . Sulphur dioxide
