Sulfur Dioxide
Where is it found?
Sulfur Dioxide (SO2) is invisible and has a nasty smell. It is produced by the combustion of any substance that contains sulfur. The main source of SO2 in the atmos- phere comes from combustion of coal or fossil fuels while small sources are in metallurgy and naturally by volcanic eruptions. Locomotives, ships and other vehi- cles that burn fuel with a high sulfur content are other emission source. Besides, it can react with other com- pounds in the atmosphere contributing to particulate matter pollution.
Why is it harmful?
SO2 gas is a respiratory tract and eye irritant, affecting very fast to humans (10-15 minutes). Long-exposures affect to the lung defences and aggravate existing cardio- vascular disease. It also causes damage in ecosystems and it contributes to acid rain when oxidized to sulfuric acid. This provokes an acidification of ecosystems, in- juries and necrosis in vegetation and deterioration of materials.
SO2 cartridge
The Sulfur Dioxide Cartridge has a built-in electrochemical sensor which presents high cross-sensitivities with O3 and NO2. When used together with the NO2 and O3 car- tridges, the Kunak algorithm is capable of correcting from these cross-sensitivities improving the accuracy of the measurements. However, it is not recommended for outdoors application requiring accurate SO2 measurements at very low concentra- tions (<20 ppb).
Technical specifications
Type | Electrochemical |
Unit of measurement | µg/m³, ppb |
Measurement range(1) | 0 – 10,000 ppb |
Resolution(2) | 1 ppb |
Operating temperature range(3) | -30 to 40 ºC |
Operating RH range(4) | 0 to 99 %RH |
Recommended RH range(4) | 15 to 90 %RH |
Operating life(5) | > 24 months |
Guarantee range(6) | 100 ppm |
Limit of Detection (LOD)(7) | 3 ppb |
Repeteability(8) | 5 ppb |
Response time(9) | < 60 sec |
Typical accuracy (MAE)(10) | ± 15 ppb |
Typical precision R² (10) | > 0.7 |
Typical slope(10) | 0.78 – 1.29 |
Typical intercept (a)(10) | -5 ppb ≤ a ≤ +5 ppb |
DQO – Typical U(exp)(11) | < 25% |
Typical Intra-model variability(12) | < 3 ppb |
