BACKGROUND Inhalation of sulphur dioxide (SO2) provokes bronchoconstriction in asthmatic subjects. Cholinergic mechanisms contribute, but other mechanisms remain undefined. The effect of morphine, an opioid agonist, on the cholinergic component of SO2-induced bronchoconstriction was investigated, and the effect of indomethacin, a cyclooxygenase inhibitor, on SO2-induced bronchoconstriction and ...

With the rapid development of the economy, the sulfur dioxide (SO2) emission from China since 2000 is of increasing concern. In this work, we first presented the change of SO2 emission in China since 2000 using a technology-based methodology. Then, we compared the SO2 emission data with a variety of official statistics, ground-based measurements and satellite observations of sulfur related quan...

BACKGROUND In asthmatic subjects bronchoconstriction is induced by inhalation of the common food preservatives sulphur dioxide (SO2) and metabisulphite (MBS). SO2 and MBS challenges share many similarities, but it is not known whether they are equivalent. In this study of subjects with mild clinical asthma equivalence was assessed by comparing SO2 and MBS reactivity by estimating the total dose...

We compared the effect of inhaled NO2 and SO2 on airway tone and airway responsiveness in 14 nonsmoking mild asthmatics (mean +/- SD age 34 +/- 14 yrs; mean +/- SD baseline forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1), 86 +/- 17% pred). On 3 separate days, 30 min tidal breathing (average minute ventilation 10.6 l.min-1) of either filtered air, 0.25 ppm NO2, or 0.5 ppm SO2 was followed by an is...

Stratospheric aerosols (SAs) are a variable component of the Earth’s albedo that may be intentionally enhanced in the future to offset greenhouse gases (geoengineering). The role of tropospheric-sourced sulfur dioxide (SO2) in maintaining background SAs has been debated for decades without in situ measurements of SO2 at the tropical tropopause to inform this issue. Here we clarify the role of S...

Sulfur dioxide (SO2) is a major air pollutant, especially in developing countries. Many trees are seriously impaired by SO2, while other species can mitigate air pollution by absorbing this gas. Planting appropriate tree species near industrial complexes is critical for aesthetic value and pollution mitigation. In this study, six landscape tree species typical of a subtropical area were investi...

Stratospheric aerosols (SAs) are a variable component of the Earth's albedo that may be intentionally enhanced in the future to offset greenhouse gases (geoengineering). The role of tropospheric-sourced sulfur dioxide (SO2) in maintaining background SAs has been debated for decades without in-situ measurements of SO2 at the tropical tropopause to inform this issue. Here we clarify the role of S...

The simultaneous removal of SO2/NO2 by limestone slurry was studied in a gas-liquid bubbling reactor. Experiments were carried out to find the effect of various operating parameters such as inlet concentration of SO2 and NO2, reaction temperature, O2 content in the flue gas and additive on the SO2 and NO2 removal efficiencies. SO2 removal efficiency decreased with inlet NO2 concentration, react...