The Health Effects of Nitrous Oxides

1. The Health Effects of Nitrous Oxides Michelle Cleary, Thomas Grant, Lauryn LeBlanc, Natalie MacLean, Morgan Paxman and Chelsea Watts

2. Overview • Introduction • Short-term Effects • Long-term Effects • Opposing Views • Conclusion

3. Introduction

4. NO2 - What is it? • Nitrogen dioxide is the compound with the formula NO2 it is one of a few nitrogen oxides. This reddish-brown toxic gas has a sharp, biting odor and is a prominent air pollutant. • Emissions from fossil fuel combustion and biomass burning reduce local air quality and affect global tropospheric chemistry. Nitrogen oxides are emitted by all combustion processes and play a key part in the photochemically induced catalytic production of ozone, which results in summer smog and has increased levels of tropospheric ozone globally

5. NO2 • Nitrogen dioxide is formed in most combustion processes using air as the oxidant. At elevated temperatures nitrogen combines with oxygen to form nitric oxide: • O2 + N2 → 2 NO • Sources of NO2 are internal combustion engines, thermal power stations and pulp mills. • Butane gas heaters and stoves are also sources.

6. FUN FACT!!!! • Nitrogen dioxide is also produced by atmospheric nuclear tests, and is responsible for the reddish colour of mushroom clouds.

7. Intro to reading • The commission on air pollution prevention in Germany, the ministry of environment, nature conservation and nuclear safety along with the WHO have all commissioned a report to give the effects on human health from nitrous oxides. • This is what they found…

8. Globalized Effects • Many believe that the amount of NO2 in our atmosphere is declining due to stricter environmental laws and production laws. • Developed countries • Economic benefit trade-off

9. Short-Term Effects

10. Short-term effects are found by measuring nitrous oxide levels daily and comparing that level to the amount of mortalities or the number of hospital admissions. • The main short-term effect is deterioration of respiratory and pulmonary function. • There are also cases of mortality due to short-term exposure to nitrous oxides

11. Children with allergic respiratory symptoms are more likely to be affected due to short term exposure to nitrous oxides • It is likely for them to develop problems with the lower respiratory system • Lower respiratory problems can include wheezing and shortness of breath • Children are more likely to have night-time coughs and respiratory infections if exposed to increased nitrous oxide concentrations

12. Long Term Effects

13. Long-term effects were found by health studies where people were analyzed under real living conditions • The effects of long-term exposure to nitrous oxides include mortality, diseases, and decreased pulmonary function • Nitrogen monoxide (NO) can be toxic to people who are exposed long-term • Nitric acid (HNO3) can be acidic to those who are exposed over a long period

14. Emphysema • Long-term lower level exposures can destroy lung tissue which can cause emphysema • Emphysema is a disease of the lungs that causes shortness of breath • The alveoli are destroyed which makes it difficult to exhale • Left side of image shows destroyed alveoli and the right side shows alveoli that are intact

15. Myelopathy • Adegenerative condition that pinches the spinal cord • Caused by nitrous oxide inactivating vitamin B12 • It can cause loss of fine motor skills, inability to walk fast, arm pain and shooting pains through the arms and legs

16. Bronchitis • Long-term low level exposure can cause bronchitis • It is the inflammation of the main air passages to the lungs • Can be acute or chronic • Both types can cause coughs that produces mucus, fatigue, fever, shortness of breath and wheezing • Chronic bronchitis can also cause swelling of ankles, feet and legs and respiratory infections

17. Opposing Views

18. Conclusion • The findings - When researchers looked at previous research they discarded research done on animals - Short Term Values: findings can be used 100µg/m3 - Long term Values: Can not be derived

19. Limitations in this study testing NO2 • It is impossible to measure the long term health effects of NO2 on a population. Our pollution is made up of many different gases, odours, chemicals so it we are unable to isolate this one chemical and show that it is the cause of all these health problems

20. Pollution • Sulphur Oxide(SOx) • Nitrogen Oxide(NOx) • Carbon Monoxide(CO) • Carbon Dioxide (CO2) • Volatile Organic Compounds • Paticulate Matter • Persistent Free radicals • Toxic Metals • Chloroflurocarbons (CFCs) • Ammonia (NH3) • Odors • Radioactive Pollutants • Secondary pollutants include: • Smog • Ground Level Ozone(O3) • Peroxyacetyl nitrate(PAN)

21. The amount of NO or NO2 in the ambient air depends on the surroundings and if there are sources of these pollutants nearby it will affect data. Example: Amount of NO and NO2 levels near highways and high traffic areas are higher compared to urban or rural areas. • Studies being done on animals to test the effects of NO2, were given had higher concentrations then what is found in normal ambient air • Difficult to measure populations exposure

22. There is evidence that shows the impact of NO2 on humans health • Some area for debate on how to test the effects • Debate on what safe levels of NO2 are among different researchers • One thing is for sure decrease pollution and ensure healthier people and environment!!!

23. Questions?