Sulfur dioxide is the leading contributor to acid precipitation that can harm water bodies, fish and amphibian populations and forests across the Upper Midwest, Northeast and Canada. Acid rain also impacts portions of the Rocky Mountains and other areas.

Sulfuric gases and particles can slowly degrade building materials such as brick and mortar, pipes and metal surfaces, paints, stone and monuments. Airborne sulfates, along with particulate and nitrogen oxides, also contribute to visibility loss or haze. In Iowa, visibility loss due to sulfates and other airborne particles may be approximately one-third natural visibility on average days and less on the worst days. In other areas of the nation, such as national parks, air pollution has cut visibility in these scenic, "pristine" areas by 80 percent on the worst days. Generally, visibility is worst in the eastern states and improves in western states, although visibility is degraded nationally.

When sulfur-containing fuels such as gasoline, coal and fuel oil are burned, the sulfur is released. Citizens can help reduce emissions by conserving electricity, properly maintaining vehicles, driving less and by consolidating errands.