But what exactly is nitrogen oxide, and why should we be so concerned about it?
The post What Is Nitrogen Oxide and Why Is It Bad for the Environment? appeared first on Green Prophet.
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Air pollution is a topic that affects everyone, whether they live in bustling cities or the quiet countryside. One of the most significant contributors to this invisible threat is nitrogen oxide, which not only harbours detrimental effects on the environment but also poses a substantial risk to human health.
But what exactly is nitrogen oxide, and why should we be so concerned about it?
Unveiling the NOx Family
Nitrogen oxides, or NOx, refer to a group of highly reactive gases, all composed of nitrogen and oxygen. The two most prominent NOx compounds, nitric oxide (NO) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2) are crucial components in the formation of smog and acid rain. While NO, the precursor to NO2, is colourless and odourless, NO2 is a reddish-brown gas with a pungent smell, known for its lethality at high concentrations.
The primary source of NOx emissions is anthropogenic, with the bulk originating from the gases of vehicles, especially those propelled by diesel engines. Other significant contributors include power plants, heavy industry, and residential heating. At high temperatures, such as during combustion in engines, lightning strikes, and welding, nitrogen and oxygen combine to form NOx.
A Recipe for Trouble
NOx isn’t just your average air pollutant; it’s a game-changer in the atmosphere’s delicate chemistry, with far-reaching consequences. NOx plays a pivotal role in the complex chain of events that lead to ground-level ozone’s creation. In the presence of sunlight, NO2 is broken down into NO and a free oxygen atom. This oxygen atom then collides with an oxygen molecule (O2), resulting in ozone. Ground-level ozone isn’t the beneficial ozone layer at the stratosphere but a harmful air pollutant that can trigger asthma attacks and lead to premature deaths. NOx also significantly contributes to acid rain, which impacts water ecosystems and erodes buildings and monuments.
Breathing in Danger
The health hazards associated with NOx are severe. NO2, in particular, as well as the particles formed by the interaction of NOx with other substances, has been linked with several health problems, including aggravation of respiratory diseases like emphysema and bronchitis, as well as an increase in the risk of respiratory symptoms. Long-term e
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