UPSC Prelims 2024 question on Sulphur Dioxide Sources

EPA's national ambient air quality standards for SO2 are designed to protect against exposure to the entire group of sulfur oxides (SOx).

According to EPA, the largest source of SO2 in the atmosphere is the burning of fossil fuels by power plants and other industrial facilities.

Smaller sources of SO2 emissions include: industrial processes such as extracting metal from ore; natural sources such as volcanoes; and locomotives, ships and other vehicles and heavy equipment that burn fuel with a high sulfur content.

Hence option (d) Power plants using fossil fuels is the correct answer.