Helena Joyce
Nitrogen is a crucial element for life on Earth and makes up 78% of our atmosphere. Nitrogen gas (N2) is odourless, colourless, and tasteless. It is non-flammable and does not support combustion. While nitrogen is generally harmless, nitrogen dioxide (NO2) is a harmful pollutant. NO2 is a member of the nitrogen oxide (NOx) family of gases, which also includes nitric oxide (NO) and nitrous oxide (N2O). NO2 is a primary pollutant that irritates the airways and contributes to particle pollution. It is produced by burning fossil fuels and is present in emissions from vehicles and power plants.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Chemical composition | Nitrogen and oxygen |
| Group | Nitrogen oxides (NOx) |
| Formation | Burning of fossil fuels such as coal, oil, methane gas, diesel, wood, and gas |
| Sources | Cars, trucks, buses, power plants, off-road equipment, tobacco smoke, gas stoves, heaters, and fireplaces |
| Impact | Irritates airways, aggravates respiratory diseases, increases likelihood of emergency department and hospital admissions, likely causes asthma in children |
| Status | Primary pollutant |
| Colour | Reddish-brown |
| Odour | Pungent, perceptible from a concentration of 188 μg/m3 (0.1 ppm) |
| Molecular weight | 46.01 g/mol |
| Melting point | −11.2 °C |
| Boiling point | 21.15 °C |
| Density | 1.59 (air = 1) |
| Solubility | Soluble in sulfuric and nitric acids, poorly soluble in water |
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What You'll Learn
Nitrogen dioxide (NO2) is a pollutant
Nitrogen dioxide is a gaseous air pollutant composed of nitrogen and oxygen. It primarily gets in the air from the burning of fuel. NO2 forms from emissions from cars, trucks and buses, power plants, and off-road equipment. Fossil fuels such as coal, oil, methane gas (natural gas) or diesel are burned at high temperatures to produce nitrogen dioxide.
Nitrogen dioxide causes a range of harmful effects on the lungs. Breathing air with a high concentration of NO2 can irritate the airways in the human respiratory system. Such exposures over short periods can aggravate respiratory diseases, especially asthma, leading to respiratory symptoms such as coughing, wheezing, or difficulty breathing. Longer exposures to elevated concentrations of NO2 may contribute to the development of asthma and potentially increase susceptibility to respiratory infections. Scientific evidence suggests that exposure to NO2 could likely cause asthma in children.
NO2 and other nitrogen oxides in the outdoor air contribute to particle pollution and the chemical reactions that make ozone. It is one of six widespread air pollutants for which there are national air quality standards to limit their levels in the outdoor air. EPA’s national and regional rules to reduce emissions of NO2 and NOx will help state and local governments meet the National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS).
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NO2 is formed by burning fossil fuels
Nitrogen dioxide (NO2) is a gaseous air pollutant composed of nitrogen and oxygen. It is one of a group of highly reactive gases called nitrogen oxides or NOx. Other nitrogen oxides include nitrous acid and nitric acid. NO2 is used as the indicator for the larger group of nitrogen oxides.
NO2 is formed when fossil fuels such as coal, oil, methane gas (natural gas), or diesel are burned at high temperatures. The burning of fossil fuels releases nitrogen oxides into the atmosphere, contributing to the formation of smog and acid rain. NO2 and other nitrogen oxides in the outdoor air also contribute to particle pollution and the chemical reactions that make ozone.
The major sources of NO2 emissions are trucks, buses, and cars, followed by diesel-powered non-road equipment, industrial processes such as oil and gas production, industrial boilers, and other movable engines, and coal-fired power plants. NO2 can also form indoors when fuels like wood or gas are burned. Appliances such as stoves, dryers, and space heaters that burn natural gas, liquified petroleum gas (including propane and butane), and kerosene can produce substantial amounts of nitrogen dioxide.
NO2 has harmful effects on the lungs, including an increased likelihood of emergency department and hospital admissions. Scientific evidence suggests that exposure to NO2 could likely cause asthma in children. A 2022 review of multiple studies found that elevated levels of NO2, as well as elevated particulate matter and sulfur dioxide, were strongly associated with adverse health outcomes.
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NO2 is a primary pollutant
Nitrogen dioxide (NO2) is a major air pollutant and a contributor to smog. It is one of a group of highly reactive gases known as oxides of nitrogen or nitrogen oxides (NOx). NO2 is primarily released into the air through the burning of fossil fuels such as coal, oil, methane gas (natural gas), and diesel. It is also formed through the combustion of vehicle emissions, power plants, and off-road equipment.
As a primary pollutant, NO2 is emitted in limited amounts through vehicles into the air. It is a highly reactive gas and can quickly oxidize in outdoor air when reacting with oxygen, ozone, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) to form other pollutants, known as secondary pollutants. These secondary pollutants include ozone, particulate matter, acid rain, and other toxic chemicals. High concentrations of NO2 can irritate the airways in the human respiratory system and aggravate respiratory diseases, especially asthma.
NO2 is a significant concern for people living near emission sources, as they are at a higher risk of exposure. Vulnerable subpopulations at higher risk from nitrogen dioxide exposure include people with pre-existing medical conditions such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and lung cancer. Children are also particularly susceptible to the effects of NO2.
While nitrogen dioxide is a primary pollutant, it is predominantly a concern as a secondary pollutant. This is because it can undergo further oxidation to form nitric acid (HNO3), which can enter the environment through the ground as droplets or nitrate-containing particles. EPA regulations and the federal Clean Air Act have helped reduce NO2 emissions, but many people still breathe in unhealthy levels of this pollutant.
In summary, NO2 is a primary pollutant emitted by vehicles and a precursor to many harmful secondary pollutants. Its presence in the air contributes to smog and has adverse effects on human health, especially for vulnerable individuals. Efforts to reduce NO2 emissions have been implemented, but more action is needed to protect public health.
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NO2 contributes to particle pollution
Nitrogen dioxide (NO2) is a gaseous air pollutant composed of nitrogen and oxygen. It is one of a group of highly reactive gases known as oxides of nitrogen or nitrogen oxides (NOx). NO2 is used as the indicator for the larger group of nitrogen oxides. NO2 primarily enters the air through the burning of fossil fuels such as coal, oil, gas, diesel, and methane. Sources of NO2 emissions include trucks, buses, cars, power plants, industrial boilers, and coal-fired plants.
NO2 and other nitrogen oxides contribute to particle pollution in the air and the chemical reactions that make ozone. The nitrate particles resulting from NOx make the air hazy and difficult to see through. This affects the views in many national parks. NOx in the atmosphere also contributes to nutrient pollution in coastal waters.
NO2 is a harmful pollutant that affects human health. Breathing air with high concentrations of NO2 can irritate the airways in the human respiratory system. Exposure to NO2 over short periods can aggravate respiratory diseases, especially asthma, leading to respiratory symptoms such as coughing, wheezing, or difficulty breathing. Scientific evidence suggests that exposure to NO2 could likely cause asthma in children. Those who live near emission sources are at a higher risk of health impacts. Other vulnerable subpopulations include people with pre-existing medical conditions such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and lung cancer.
To address the issue of NO2 pollution, the EPA has established national ambient air quality standards (NAAQS) and works with state, local, and tribal governments to develop plans to reduce NO2 levels in areas that do not meet the standards. The EPA's rules aim to help governments meet the NAAQS and improve air quality.
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NO2 is harmful to human health
Nitrogen dioxide (NO2) is a harmful pollutant that primarily enters the air through the burning of fossil fuels, such as coal, oil, methane gas, and diesel. This burning of fuel occurs through emissions from vehicles, power plants, and off-road equipment. While NO2 is not to be confused with the non-pollutant N2, the former is a significant contributor to air pollution and poses various risks to human health.
NO2 is a highly reactive gas and a member of the nitrogen oxides (NOx) group. These gases are known to damage the human respiratory system, causing a range of adverse effects. When inhaled, NO2 irritates the airways and can lead to respiratory symptoms such as coughing, wheezing, and difficulty breathing. This is especially problematic for individuals with pre-existing respiratory conditions, such as asthma, where NO2 can trigger attacks and exacerbate symptoms.
The impact of NO2 exposure is not limited to the respiratory system. Scientific studies have linked elevated NO2 levels to heart and lung harm, adverse pregnancy and birth outcomes, and a potentially increased risk of kidney and neurological harm, autoimmune disorders, and cancer. This harmful gas can also cause eye, nose, and throat irritation.
Vulnerable subpopulations, including people with pre-existing medical conditions such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and lung cancer, are at an even higher risk of experiencing the detrimental health effects of NO2 pollution. Additionally, people who live near emission sources, such as those in proximity to power plants or major roads, are at a greater risk of exposure to unhealthy NO2 levels.
The good news is that efforts to reduce NO2 emissions are making a difference. Regulatory standards and initiatives, such as the federal Clean Air Act, have helped drive down NO2 emissions from power plants, industrial sites, and on-road vehicles. As a result, outdoor air quality has improved significantly in recent decades, and continued cleanup efforts will further reduce NO2 pollution and its impact on human health.
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Frequently asked questions
Nitrogen, or N2, is a gas composed of two nitrogen atoms. It is odourless, colourless, and tasteless, and makes up 78% of the Earth's atmosphere.
No, N2 is not considered a pollutant. However, nitrogen dioxide (NO2), a compound composed of nitrogen and oxygen, is a common air pollutant.
NO2 pollution primarily comes from the burning of fossil fuels such as coal, oil, methane gas, and diesel at high temperatures. Sources of NO2 pollution include cars, trucks, buses, power plants, and industrial sites.
Exposure to high concentrations of NO2 can irritate and cause inflammation of the airways. It can aggravate respiratory diseases, especially asthma, leading to coughing, wheezing, and difficulty breathing. Prolonged exposure to high levels of NO2 can cause irreversible damage to the respiratory system.
