Breathing in high levels of NO 2 can increase the likelihood of respiratory problems: wheezing, coughing, colds, flu and bronchitis. People with asthma are prone to have more intense attacks. Prolonged exposure to high levels of NO 2 can cause irreversible damages to the respiratory system.
High levels of NOx can have a negative effect on vegetation by making it more susceptible to disease and frost damage. When NOx reacts with other pollutants in the presence of sunlight, it forms ozone. Ozone at high concentrations also damage vegetation. Air pollution occurs when gases, dust particles, fumes or odour are introduced into the atmosphere which has harmful or poisonous effects.
The common air pollutants are also known as criteria pollutants :. The amount of nitrogen oxides emitted into the atmosphere as air pollution, from both man-made sources, can be quite significant. While NO 2 is a primary pollutant, it is also a contributing component for secondary pollutants formed from a chemical reaction. The most common is ozone. Photochemical smog, most common in sunny, dry locations, is created when NO 2 from gas combustion is exposed to sunlight, splits and releases an oxygen ion O.
The released O combines with oxygen molecule O 2 forming ozone O 3. Ozone is one of the major secondary pollutants. You can read more about ozone pollution in our blog: Why do I have an ozone pollution problem and what can I do about it? Indoor NO 2 levels are a result of both indoor and outdoor sources. While indoor NO 2 is produced by unvented heaters and gas stoves, high outdoor NO 2 levels originating from local traffic and other combustion sources can influence indoor levels.
Air pollution is a serious problem and we should all be concerned. Worldwide, more deaths per year are linked to air pollution than to automobile accidents. NO 2 is both a primary and secondary pollutant. Air pollution impacts everyone but some of us are more susceptible than others: children and seniors, people with existing lung and heart conditions, people working and exercising outdoors.
To combat the serious health effects it is important to find out more about air pollution, such as areas of heavy concentration, elements of composition and cause.
To get this information, comprehensive air quality monitoring must be undertaken using air monitoring devices, such as shown below. These can be portable, ideal for checking pollution hot-spots or personal exposure, or fixed monitors, which measure the air continuously so you know when NO 2 levels are high. Both measure the air in real-time giving you accurate readings to make informed decisions. Portable monitors to measure NO 2. Aeroqual makes sensors and equipment for air quality monitoring.
See our video on how the Noxite solution depollutes the built environment. Nitrogen dioxide is an irritant gas, which at high concentrations causes inflammation of the airways. When nitrogen is released during fuel combustion it combines with oxygen atoms to create nitric oxide NO. This further combines with oxygen to create nitrogen dioxide NO2.
Nitric oxide is not considered to be hazardous to health at typical ambient concentrations, but nitrogen dioxide can be. Nitrogen dioxide and nitric oxide are referred to together as oxides of nitrogen NOx. NOx gases react to form smog and acid rain as well as being central to the formation of fine particles PM and ground level ozone, both of which are associated with adverse health effects.. NOx is produced from the reaction of nitrogen and oxygen gases in the air during combustion, especially at high temperatures.
In areas of high motor vehicle traffic, such as in large cities, the amount of nitrogen oxides emitted into the atmosphere as air pollution can be significant. NOx gases are formed whenever combustion occurs in the presence of nitrogen — e. The pie chart below shows that road transport and energy production are the greatest sources of NOx emissions in the EU during The anticipated relative proportion of emissions of NOx, from vehicles and gas boilers in the City during , is shown in the pie chart below.
A very similar picture is predicted for NOx mainly impacts on respiratory conditions causing inflammation of the airways at high levels. The National Pollutant Inventory NPI is tracking pollution right across Australia by collecting data on about 93 different toxic substances emitted into the environment. The NPI can show you the source and location of these emissions. The substances that are studied and reported on were chosen because of the problems they can potentially cause for our health and the health of the environment.
Here are some fascinating facts about oxides of nitrogen and some hints on how you can help minimise their harmful effects on our health and on the environment. Oxides of nitrogen are a mixture of gases that are made up of nitrogen and oxygen gases. They include nitrogen dioxide, nitric oxide, nitrogen oxide and nitrogen monoxide.
Generating electricity is the largest source of emissions of oxides of nitrogen in Australia. Other industrial sources are mining, oil and gas extraction and different kinds of metal manufacturing and petroleum manufacturing. Oxides of nitrogen are found in air, soil and water. Natural events such as lightning and bushfires can also produce oxides of nitrogen.
Oxides of nitrogen may be present in exhaust fumes emitted into the atmosphere by cars, aeroplanes, trains and boats. Even lawnmowers can emit oxides of nitrogen into the atmosphere! Common products containing oxides of nitrogen include nitrate fertilisers. Cigarette smoke and other fuel burning activities, such as wood burning heaters, can be sources of oxides of nitrogen. Do you have a heater that burns wood at your house?
Lots of homes in Australia still have this type of heating.
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