Question

Name the compounds of sulphur that cause air pollution. Also, state the harmful effects of sulphur compounds.

Answer 1

Compounds of sulphur like sulphur dioxide, sulphur trioxide and hydrogen sulphide are pollutants.

Harmful effects of oxides of sulphur:

(a) It causes headache, vomiting and even death due to respiratory failure.

(b) It destroys vegetation and weakens building materials/constructions.

(c) It mixes with smoke and fog to form smog, which is very harmful.

It is oxidised by atmospheric oxygen into sulphur trioxide (SO₃) which combines with water to form sulphuric acid.

2SO_2(g) + O_2(g) →2SO_3(g)

SO_3(g) + H₂O_(l) → H₂SO_4(l)