What is Nitrogen Dioxide?
Nitrogen dioxide (NO2) is a gas that can be emitted indoors by combustion appliances like
gas stoves. NO2 can also enter the home from outdoor sources such as cars.
Nitrogen dioxide is one of the family of chemicals known as nitrogen oxides; chemicals
formed from nitrogen (N) and oxygen (O). Two of these chemicals, nitrogen dioxide (NO2)
and nitric oxide (NO) are air pollutants, and are collectively known as nitrogen oxides (NOX).
These compounds are in the form of a gas, so are easily breathed in and can cause health
effects, particularly to the lungs. Nitrogen dioxide can combine with different vehicle
exhaust gases to form photochemical smog and ground level ozone, which also affect
people's health
What Are the Health Risks?
Nitrogen dioxide irritates the lungs. It can decrease lung function and increase susceptibility
to allergens for people with asthma. Prolonged exposure to low levels of nitrogen dioxide has
been found to increase the risk of respiratory symptoms such as coughing and wheezing.
Context - In Europe, Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2) pollutes the air mainly as a result of road
traffic and energy production.
Apart from giving rise to acid rain and other air pollutants, current levels of NO2 may affect
our health
.1 Studies on human populations indicate that long-term exposure to NO2 levels currently
observed in Europe may decrease lung function and increase the risk of respiratory
symptoms such as acute bronchitis and cough and phlegm, particularly in children. Even
though some studies have shown associations between NO2 exposure and mortality,
present evidence is not sufficient to conclude that effects on mortality can be attributed to
long-term exposure to NO2 itself
In the atmosphere, nitrogen oxides can contribute to formation of photochemical ozone
(smog) and have health consequences. They also lead to acid rain and contribute to global
warming.
Greenhouse gases are gases which cause a gradual heating of the earth's surface when they
are released into the atmosphere.
Climate change is being caused by common greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide,
methane and nitrogen dioxide. Although these gases occur naturally, we humans have
increased the amounts of them in the atmosphere by our activities. These are the three most
important greenhouse gases. There are others, such as halogens, which cause significant
damage, too.
.
In addition to these problems, nitrogen dioxide emissions contribute to acid rain, which can
cause damage to trees, buildings (stonework), lakes and rivers.
Levels of nitrogen dioxide in Camden
Nitrogen dioxide is routinely monitored at Swiss Cottage, Russell Square gardens
(Bloomsbury) and Shaftesbury Avenue. These stations give up-to-the-minute information on
pollution levels.
Results from these sites show that the levels of nitrogen dioxide are higher than the
Government's Air Quality Standard of 21 parts per billion (see chart below). We also measure
nitrogen dioxide at many other sites around the borough using ‘diffusion tubes'. These tubes
provide average results once a month, and show that all sites close to busy roads have
nitrogen dioxide levels above the air quality standard.
Ironic, Bracknell BC has allowed tall buildings to be erected in Crowthorne High Street over
the years and this has contributed to the pollution levels. So much for the By-Pass laid in the
1980's that was supposed to redirect traffic away from Sandhurst and Crowthorne. The
installation of the Road humps in Crowthorne High Street doesnt help, slow moving traffic
burns fuel less efficiently than cars travelling at a steady rate so with all the stopping and
starting of vehicles this is not unexpected. Again, this is not helped with random deliveries
along the High Street at any time causing delays...
Jon Barber
3/12/2010 at 10:13