Nitrogen dioxide is a highly reactive gas formed by emissions from motor vehicles, industry, unflued gas-heaters and gas stove tops. High concentrations can be found especially near busy roads and indoors where unflued gas-heaters are in use.
Other indoor sources can be from cigarette smoke or from cooking with gas. Outdoors, nitrogen dioxide contributes to the formation of ground-level ozone (O3) as well as particulate matter pollution. Nitrogen dioxide is a respiratory irritant and has a variety of adverse health effects on the respiratory system.
Potential health effects from exposure to nitrogen dioxide:
-
Increased susceptibility to lung infections in people with asthma
-
Increased susceptibility to asthma triggers like pollen and exercise
-
Worsened symptoms of asthma – more frequent asthma attacks
-
Airway inflammation in healthy people