A factory was started near a village. Suddenly villagers started feeling the presence of irriting vapour in the village and cases of headache, chest pain, cough, dryness of throat and breathing problems increased. Villagers blamed the emissions from the chimney of the factory for such problems. Explain what colud have happend. Give chemical reactions for the support of your explanation.

Explanation

The available information suggests that coal contaminated with sulphur was used in the factory as a fuel. Sulphur got oxidised to both `SO_(2)` and `SO_(3)`.
`S(s)+O_(2)(g)rightarrowSO_(2)(g), SO_(2)(g)+1//2O_(2)(g)rightarrowSO_(3)(g)`
The oxidation of sulphur dioxide into sulphur trioxide is enhanced by the particulate matter.
Both these gases are extremely poisonous and irritating.They cause all those problems that were experienced by the villagers.