Nitrogen oxides
Tuesday, 03 June 2008, Written by Trouni   
Characteristics (NO2) Main sources (NO2) Effects on health (NO2)
Oxidative and irritative gas.
Plays a major role in the production of ground-level ozone and smog.
Natural oxidation of Nitric Oxyde (NO).
NO comes from internal combustion engines.
  • irritates the mucosa of the eyes, nose, throat and respiratory tract
  • high concentrations:
    • shortness of breath
    • respiratory illness
    • bronchial reactivity
    • decreased lung functions and even bronchitis
    • pulmonary edema and diffuse lung injury
 
About nitrogen oxides (NO2 and NO3)

Car traffic emits nitrogen oxides The two most prevalent oxides of nitrogen are Nitrogen oxide (NO) and Nitrogen dioxide (NO2). NO which is not considered to be harmful to health mainly comes from road transport emissions and other combustion processes when fuel is burned, especially in power plants or in the electricity supply industry.

NO2 derives from the natural oxidation of NO and is one of the most prominent air pollutants. The primary sources of NO2 indoors are combustion processes (e.g. gas stoves, welding and tobacco smoke).

NO2 plays a major role in the production of ground-level ozone, or smog and in the acidification of soil and waters.

 

Impact of NO2 on your health
  • NO2 mainly acts as an irritant affecting the mucosa of the eyes, nose, throat and respiratory tract
  • NO2 can also irritate the lungs and lower resistance to respiratory infections such as influenza
  • Continued or frequent exposure to higher concentrations of NO2 may cause increased incidence of acute respiratory illness in children, increased bronchial reactivity in some asthmatics and decreased lung functions in people with chronic pulmonary disease
  • Continued exposure to high levels of NO2 can contribute to the development of acute or chronic bronchitis
  • Extremely-high exposure: people can experience pulmonary edema and diffuse lung injury
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