Sulfur Dioxide Pollution
Emissions of SO2 from coal and oil combustion, causing acid precipitation, respiratory disease, and vegetation damage.
Formula
2SO2 + O2 → 2SO3; SO3 + H2O → H2SO4
Real World
The UK's 1956 Clean Air Act followed the Great London Smog of December 1952, during which SO2 from coal fires combined with fog killed an estimated 12,000 people — the worst air pollution disaster in British history.
Exam Focus
For 'assess' questions on SO2 controls, quantify impact (e.g. flue-gas desulfurisation removes ~95% SO2) rather than simply listing methods.
How well did you know this?