Sulfur dioxide is a noticeable component in the atmosphere, especially following volcanic eruptions. According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency, the amount of sulfur dioxide released in the U.S. per year was: Sulfur dioxide is a major air pollutant and has significant impacts upon human health. In addition, the concentration of sulfur dioxide in the atmosphere can influence the habitat suitability for plant communities, as well as animal life. Sulfur dioxide emissions are a precursor to acid rain and atmospheric particulates. Due largely to the US EPA’s Acid Rain Program, the U.S. has had a 33% decrease in emissions between 1983
Lower sulfur oxides has been detected in the gas phase using neutralization-reionization mass spectrometry. Both cyclic and chain structures were found. A number of monoxides SO are known where n= 5-10, where the oxygen is bonded to one sulfur. They can be prepared by oxidising the homocycles with trifluoroperoxoacetic acid: The compounds are yellow or orange-coloured and thermally unstable near room temperature. One dioxide is well characterized: the deep orange SO (m.p. 60–62 °�C with decomposition), which arises using trifluoroperoxoacetic acid. Lower sulfur oxides The lower sulfur oxides are a group of inorganic compounds with the formula SO, where m < 2n. These