The following sections of this BookRags Literature Study Guide is offprint from Gale's For Students Series: Presenting Analysis, Context, and Criticism on Commonly Studied Works: Introduction, Author Biography, Plot Summary, Characters, Themes, Style, Historical Context, Critical Overview, Criticism and Critical Essays, Media Adaptations, Topics for Further Study, Compare & Contrast, What Do I Read Next?, For Further Study, and Sources.
(c)1998-2002; (c)2002 by Gale. Gale is an imprint of The Gale Group, Inc., a division of Thomson Learning, Inc. Gale and Design and Thomson Learning are trademarks used herein under license.
The following sections, if they exist, are offprint from Beacham's Encyclopedia of Popular Fiction: "Social Concerns", "Thematic Overview", "Techniques", "Literary Precedents", "Key Questions", "Related Titles", "Adaptations", "Related Web Sites". (c)1994-2005, by Walton Beacham.
The following sections, if they exist, are offprint from Beacham's Guide to Literature for Young Adults: "About the Author", "Overview", "Setting", "Literary Qualities", "Social Sensitivity", "Topics for Discussion", "Ideas for Reports and Papers". (c)1994-2005, by Walton Beacham.
All other sections in this Literature Study Guide are owned and copyrighted by BookRags, Inc.
Sulfur dioxide (SO2) is an air pollutant known primarily for its role in acid rain. SO2 is emitted naturally from volcanoes. Anthropogenic emissions arise largely from the production of electricity, particularly coal-fired power plants (65%). The sulfur in the coal reacts with oxygen during combustion, converting it to SO2. Scrubbers, using a slurry of limestone and water, are used to extract the SO2 before it exits the stack.
Once in the atmosphere, SO2 is converted to other compounds such as sulfuric acid (H2SO4), the primary contributor to acid rain. SO2 also reacts to form sulfate aerosols. These tiny airborne particles are the major cause of haze in U.S. national parks.
Both SO2 gas and sulfate aerosols cause breathing problems, particularly for people with existing respiratory illnesses such as asthma. For health reasons, to reduce acid rain, and to improve visibility, SO2 emissions are regulated by a market-based allowance trading system established by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
Turco, Richard P. (1997). Earth under Siege: From Air Pollution to Global Change. New York: Oxford University Press.
Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR). "ToxFAQ for Sulfur Dioxide." Available from http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/tfacts116.html .
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Web site. Available from http://epa.gov.