Spatial, Temporal and Seasonal Variation in Sulfur Dioxide and Total Reduced Sulfur near a Paper Mill in Northcentral Idaho

Abstract:

A nuisance common to the areas surrounding a paper mill is sulfurous odor from both sulfur dioxide (SO2) and other reduced sulfur compounds. Sulfur dioxide is a criteria pollutant monitored by the US EPA and causes both skin and lung irritation and other health effects. This study monitored the emissions of SO2 and total reduced sulfur (TRS) in the Lewis-Clark Valley on the border of Northcentral Idaho and Southeastern Washington. The area is home to a kraft pulp paper mill, a known SO2 emitter, but no long term monitoring has been conducted so far. Spatial, temporal and seasonal patterns will be explored from both a stationary and a mobile platform. Sulfur increases closer to the paper mill and also at higher elevations in the valley. Yearly variations show gradual increase while a diurnal cycle of emissions was observed during early mornings. All levels of SO2 were below the US EPA standard of 75 ppbv.