phone icon
Have questions, call us?
1-800-DETECTS
Talk to an Expert
mobile menu close icon mobile menu icon

Sulfur Dioxide (SO2) Gas Detectors

Sulfur dioxide (SO2) is a colorless, extremely toxic gas with a strong odor. Common applications of sulfur dioxide include sulfuric acid production, pulp and paper mills, chemical processing, food and beverage operations, and petroleum refineries. Because coal and petroleum often contain sulfur compounds, their combustion will generate SO2 unless sulfur compounds are removed before burning the fuel.

Keep workers safe from sulfur dioxide exposure. Choose the right Sulfur Dioxide monitoring solution to purchase, rent or lease. Talk to an expert for your best option.

Talk to an Expert
Gas-- (1)
Sections

Characteristics of Sulfur Dioxide

Sulfur dioxide is a colorless gas with a characteristic, irritating, pungent odor. Sulfur dioxide is released when compounds containing sulfur, such as fossil fuels like coal are burned.

Sulfur dioxide is a highly toxic gas which poisons its victims via inhalation through the lungs. SO2 combines with water to form sulfuric acid (H2SO4). It is for this reason that sulfur dioxide can burn the respiratory tract upon inhalation. High doses of sulfur dioxide can cause death quite rapidly.

More about Sulfur Dioxide expand table collapse table

SULFUR DIOXIDE - SO2

Hazard:
Flammable
Will not explode
Classification:
Health
Extremely toxic, Oxidizing agent
Synonyms:
Sulfurous acid anhydride, sulfurous oxide, and sulfur oxide
Exposure limits:
(OSHA)
PEL\TWA: 5 ppm
(ACGIH)
STEL: 0.25 ppm/ 15 min
(OSHA)
IDLH: 100 ppm / 30 min
Industries:
Pulp and paper mills and coal-fired generating stations

Effects of Various SO2 Levels

SO2 Level in PPM
Resulting Conditions on Humans
.3-1
Sulfur Dioxide initially detected by taste.
3
Odor becomes easily detected.
5
Permissible Exposure Level (OSHA).
6-12
Irritation of the nose and throat.
20
Irritation of the eyes.
50-100
Maximum exposure for a 30 minute period.
400-500
Dangerous concentration can cause edema of the lungs and glottis and death from prolonged exposure.

How to Detect Sulfur Dioxide

Limit sulfur dioxide exposure to keep workers safe from sulfur dioxide exposure—and other hazardous gases that may be present—Industrial Scientific offers a wide range of portable gas detectors, such as the Tango® TX1 and GasBadge® Pro single-gas detectors, the Ventis® Pro5, Ventis® MX4, and MX6 iBrid® multi-gas detectors, and the Radius® BZ1 Area Monitor.

Area Monitor

Radius BZ1

learn more arrow icon
Multi-Gas Monitor

Ventis Pro5

learn more arrow icon
Multi-Gas Monitor

Ventis MX4

learn more arrow icon
Multi-Gas Monitor

MX6 iBrid

learn more arrow icon
Single-Gas Monitor

GasBadge Pro

learn more arrow icon
Single-Gas Monitor

Tango TX1

learn more arrow icon

Need help deciding which gas detector best fits your application?

Talk to an Expert

https://www.indsci.com/en/industrial-scientific-gas-types-sulfur-dioxide-so2-0