Ambient air quality in the vicinity of a works manufacturing sulphuric acid, phosphoric acid and sodium tripolyphosphate.

Airborne concentrations of sulphur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, sulphate and fluorides have been determined in the vicinity of a large industrial producer of sulphuric acid, phosphoric acid and sodium tripolyphosphate. The results indicate that the Works does not contribute significantly to 24-h average levels of nitrogen dioxide or sulphuric acid, but does cause an elevation in local sulphur dioxide and fluoride concentrations. Measurements of phosphate deposition demonstrate that the Works is a source of both condensed phosphate and orthophosphate emissions. It is concluded that ambient air pollution concentrations are well within accepted standards for human health, but that alleged damage to garden plants may be due to airborne fluorides and/or phosphate deposition.