Chemical Sampling Information
	Sulfur dioxide
Quick Links General Description Exposure Limits Health Factors Monitoring Search    [use word(s)/phrase] Table of Contents By Name A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z By CAS Number General Description Synonyms: Sulfurous acid anhydride; Sulfurous oxide; Sulfur oxide OSHA IMIS Code Number: 2290 Chemical Abstracts Service (CAS) Registry Number: 7446-09-5 NIOSH, Registry of Toxic Effects (RTECS) Identification Number: WS4550000 Department of Transportation Regulation Number (49 CFR 172.101) and Guide: 1079 125 [27 KB, PDF] NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards, Sulfur dioxide: chemical description, physical properties, potentially hazardous incompatibilities, and more Exposure Limits OSHA Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) for General Industry: 29 CFR 1910.1000 Z-1 Table -- 5 ppm, 13 mg/m3 TWA OSHA Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) for Construction Industry: 29 CFR 1926.55 Appendix A -- 5 ppm, 13 mg/m3 TWA OSHA Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) for Maritime: 29 CFR 1915.1000 Table Z-Shipyards -- 5 ppm, 13 mg/m3 TWA American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH) Threshold Limit Value (TLV): 2 ppm, 5.2 mg/m3 TWA; 5 ppm, 13 mg/m3 STEL; Appendix A4 - Not Classifiable as a Human Carcinogen National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Recommended Exposure Limit (REL): 2 ppm, 5 mg/m3 TWA; 5 ppm, 13 mg/m3 STEL Health Factors NIOSH Immediately Dangerous To Life or Health Concentration (IDLH): 100 ppm Potential symptoms: Eye, nose, throat irritation; rhinorrhea, nosebleeds; choking, coughing, shortness of breath, chest pain, pulmonary edema, cyanosis; reflex bronchoconstriction; eye, skin burns; frostbite (on contact with liquid); asthma; chronic bronchitis. Health Effects: Irritation-Eye, Nose, Throat, Skin---Marked (HE14) Mutagen (HE2); Respiratory effects--- Bronchoconstriction, pulmonary edema, reactive airways dysfunction syndrome (HE9 and HE11); Suspect reproductive effects (HE5) Affected organs: Eyes, skin, respiratory system Note: Sulfur dioxide is listed by the FDA as generally recognized as safe when used in accordance with good manufacturing practice as a preservative of fruits or vegetables (21 CFR 182.3862). Date Last Revised: 08/10/2004 Literature Basis: NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards: Sulfur dioxide. International Chemical Safety Cards (WHO/IPCS/ILO): Sulphur dioxide. Koksal, N., Hasanoglu, H.C., Gokirmak, M., Yildirim, Z. and Gultek, A.: Apricot sulfurization: an occupation that induces an asthma-like syndrome in agricultural environments. Am. J. Ind. Med. 43(4): 447-453, 2003. Piirilä, P.L., Nordman, H., Korhonen, O.S. and Winblad, I.: A thirteen-year follow-up of respiratory effects of acute exposure to sulfur dioxide. Scand. J. Work Environ. Health 22(3): 191-196, 1996. Pohanish, R.P. (editor): Sulfur Dioxide. In, Sittig's Handbook of Toxic and Hazardous Chemicals and Carcinogens, Fourth Ed., Vol. 2. Norwich, NY: Noyes Publications, William Andrew Publishing, 2002, pp. 2116-2119. Monitoring Methods used by OSHA Laboratory Sampling/Analytical Method: sampling media: MCE filter followed by a cellulose filter coated with sodium carbonate (SKC No. 225-9005, or equivalent) maximum volume: 200 Liters   maximum flow rate: 1.5 L/min (TWA) maximum volume: 23 Liters   maximum flow rate: 1.5 L/min (STEL) current analytical method: Ion Chromatography; IC method reference: NIOSH Analytical Method (NIOSH 6004) [30 KB, PDF, 4 pages] method classification: Partially Validated sampling media: Special sampling tube containing an uncoated glass fiber filter, followed by a sodium carbonate coated glass fiber filter, followed by two beds of silver nitrate coated silica gel (200/200 mg). (SKC No. 226-177, or equivalent) maximum volume: 12 Liters   maximum flow rate: 0.05 L/min (TWA) maximum volume: 7.5 Liters   maximum flow rate: 0.5 L/min (Ceiling) current analytical method: Chromatography; IC/Cond method reference: OSHA Analytical Method (OSHA 1011) method classification: Fully Validated note: The sampling pump must be capable of maintaining a constant flow of 0.5 L/min with a back pressure of approximately 20 inches of water. note: Use this method when sampling for both hydrogen sulfide and sulfur dioxide. OSHA personnel can obtain samplers from SLTC. sampling media: Impregnated Activated Beaded Carbon (100/50 mg sections) (SKC No. 226-80, or equivalent) maximum volume: 12 Liters   maximum flow rate: 0.1 L/min (TWA) maximum volume: 1.5 Liters   maximum flow rate: 0.1 L/min (STEL) current analytical method: Ion Chromatography; IC method reference: OSHA Analytical Method (OSHA ID-200) method classification: Fully Validated note: Hydrogen sulfide is a positive interference. Use NIOSH Method 6004 if the presence of hydrogen sulfide is suspected. sampling media: Mixed Cellulose Ester Filter in series with Midget Fritted Glass Bubbler (MFGB) containing 15 mL 0.3N hydrogen peroxide. maximum volume: 60 Liters   maximum flow rate: 1.0 L/min (TWA) maximum volume: 15 Liters    maximum flow rate: 1.0 L/min (STEL) current analytical method: Ion Chromatography; IC method reference: OSHA Analytical Method (OSHA ID-104) method classification: Validated All Trademarks are the property of their respective owners. Accessibility Assistance: Contact the OSHA Directorate of Science, Technology and Medicine at 202-693-2300 for assistance accessing PDF materials.