Sulfur dioxides react with precipitation to form acid precipitation, better known as acid rain. A continuous monitor measures sulfur dioxide. Health and other effects of elevated SO 2 levels Irritate upper respiratory tract and aggravate respiratory disorders, such as coughing, chest colds, asthma, and pneumonia. Increase incidences of emphysema, lung cancer, and chronic bronchitis. Weaken and disintegrate leather.
Airborne particulates are a result of smoke, soot, and fly ash from factories or power plants.
It includes minute pieces of solids or liquids dispersed into the atmosphere, primarily by combustion. The major particles from these industries are carbon, ash, oil, and grease. Particulate can also be produced by rock, sand and gravel processing and cement, steel, and iron industries. These industries discharge microscopic amounts of metals and metal oxides into the atmosphere. We measure TSP in micrograms per cubic meter over a 24-hour period.