Nitrogen Dioxide: Causation and Aggravation of Lung Diseases

Abstract

It is of great importance to investigate the role of air pollutants in causing and aggravating lung diseases. The levels of concentration of some of these combustion products have shown a decreasing emission curve, but the emissions of nitrogen dioxide (NO(2)) are still increasing. Most of the NO2 emissions originate from road traffic. The installation of catalytic converters may well change this. It is established that low concentrations of NO2 affect the respiratory system; this is especially obvious in asthmatics. Regarding long-term effects, it is believed that high levels of NO(2) may cause an increased frequency of respiratory illness, but it is not possible to confirm this suspicion completely.

Indoor Air Pollution, Related Human Diseases, and Recent Trends in the Control and Improvement of Indoor Air Quality

“…Humans also create favorable conditions for the development of millions of mold, fungus, pollen, spores, bacteria, viruses, and insects, such as dust mites and roaches. Combustion sources and cooking activates contribute to carbon dioxide (CO 2 ), sulfur dioxide (SO 2 ), CO, nitrogen dioxide (NO 2 ), and particulate matter (PM) emissions into indoor air environments [17,18]. In addition, equipment, such as computers, photocopy machines, printers, and other office machines, emit ozone (O3) and volatile compounds.…”

Categories of Adverse Health Effects from Indoor Air Pollution

“…In cigarette smoke and automobile exhaust the main immediate product of combustion is nitric oxide (NO), which is subsequently further oxidised in the air to NO2, by a process described as ageing [121]. NO is now recognised as a neurotransmitter [122] and the endogenous mediator of many biological processes [123], whereas NO2 has been implicated in the causation or aggravation of lung diseases [94], The most important source of NO2 in the indoor environment is from the com bustion of gas during heating and cooking [124].…”