Properties
- include, among others, sulphur dioxide (SO2)
- sulphur dioxide: colourless, pungent smelling gas in higher concentrations
Main sources
- industrial and household furnaces (combustion of sulphur-containing fuels)
- volcanic eruptions
Thresholds for the reporting requirement of facilities in accordance with Annex 2 PRTRO
(Ordinance on the Register relating to Pollutant Release and the Transfer of Waste and of Pollutants in Waste Water)
- Air 150,000 kg/year
- Water -
- Soil -
Impacts
- irritates eyes, respiratory system and skin
- respiratory illnesses
- damages plants and sensitive ecosystems in multiple ways
- damages buildings and materials
- major precursor in the formation of acid precipitation and secondary aerosols (particulate matter)
Ambient limit values of sulphur dioxide
30 µg/m3 annual mean (arithmetic mean)
100 µg/m3 95% of the 1/2-h-means of a year of less than or equal to 100 µg/m3
100 µg/m³ 24-hour mean; may be exceeded once per year at most
100 µg/m3 95% of the 1/2-h-means of a year of less than or equal to 100 µg/m3
100 µg/m³ 24-hour mean; may be exceeded once per year at most
Measures
- reduction of the sulphur content in heating oil
- conversion to natural gas
Status and changes
Sulphur dioxide emissions peaked in 1980. Since the mid-1980s, the sulphur dioxide levels have decreased by over 90% thanks to successful measurements at all NABEL monitoring stations. They are now significantly under the ambient limit values.
