Nitrogen Oxide & The Environment
What is Nitrogen Oxide?
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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?
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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?
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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?
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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?
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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?
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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?
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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?
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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:
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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)