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Outdoor Air:
Nitrogen Oxides (NOx)
Nitrogen dioxide and its other forms (generally referred to as nitrogen
oxides, or NOx) result from the combustion of fossil fuels. Power companies,
industrial boilers, cars and trucks are responsible for most of the NOx pollution in
our air. Nitrogen oxides contribute to the formation of ground-level ozone, acid
rain, tiny toxic particulates (nitrates and nitrites) in the air, and other
toxic reactive chemicals such as the peroxynitrite radicals.
Why is nitrogen dioxide pollution bad?
Exposure to nitrogen oxides and its various forms have been linked to:
- acute respiratory illness in children;
- lung irritation;
- lowered resistance to respiratory infections;
- asthma; and
- cardiac arrhythmias.
BACK TO OUTDOOR AIR
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