Nitrogen Oxide & The Environment

What is Nitrogen Oxide?

• Nitrogen Oxide, aka NOx, is a group of different gases made up of different levels of oxygen and nitrogen
• Two of the most common nitrogen oxides are: Nitrogen Dioxide and Nitric Oxide
• NOx is given off in many forms, such as smog or particles

How are Nitrogen Oxides Formed?

• NOx is formed when certain fuels (oil, gas and coal) are burned at a high temperature, such as combustion
• NOx is also formed from the plants that manufacture explosives

Why is there such a high level of Nitrogen Oxide Pollution?

• Because many factories, past and present, use coal-burning plants for power and/or energy or give off NOx from a certain processes
• Because NOx is commonly formed from motor vehicles (combustion in the engine)

What Environmental Problems form from Nitrogen Oxide Pollution?

• Helps form acid rain
• It contributes to global warming
• It hampers the growth of plants
• NOx can form with other pollutants to form toxic chemicals

How Can Humans be Affected by Nitrogen Oxide?

• Small levels of NOx can cause nausea, irritated eyes and/or nose, fluid forming in lungs and shortness of breath
• Breathing in high levels of NOx can lead to: rapid, burning spasms; swelling of throat; reduced oxygen intake; a larger buildup of fluids in lungs and/or death
• NOx, plus other gound-level ozone, can cause other major respiratory problems in high levels
• Can react with aerosols from aerosols cans and also cause respiratory problems
• NOx can cause visual impairment in the area affects by NOx

What Steps Have Been Taken To Reduce The Level of Nitrogen Oxide Pollution?

• The EPA has set standards for NOx pollution on every type of motor vehicle
• For plants, the EPA has set limits on how much coal can be burned (reduces acid rain)
• The EPA has set special rules for upwind states (since NOx pollution can travel by wind, the states that "push" the pollution have special rules/laws that they have to abide by)
• Yet, this pollution has still grown (by 10%) since attemps have been made to reduce it

What Steps Can Ordinary People Make To Help With This Problem?

• Reduce the amount a person drives alone (carpool/walk or bike, if applicable)
• Support efforts to use renewable, nonpolluting power sources
• If someone has a gas stove/smokes/gas heating, opening up the house (fresh air) helps minimize exposure to NOx
• Replace older gas powered appliances (gas stove/heater)
• By not smoking cigarettes
• By not burning of any types of gases at high temperatures
• By not using aerosol cans

What Steps Can Be Taken By Ordinary People To Reduce Their Risk Of Nitrogen Oxide Pollution?

• By not living in a large rural area, or next to an industrail part of town
• By not smoking cigarettes
• By not hanging around silos that contain silage
• Keep away from high industrialized areas (heavy industrial parts of town)

Sources:

• EPA Air And Radiation Basic Info (http://www.epa.gov)
• ATSDR ToxFAQs - Nitrogen Oxide (http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/tfacts175.html)

Created by: Tyler Tucker (2005)

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