Nitrogen dioxide, or NO2, is a gaseous air pollutant
composed of nitrogen and oxygen. It is chemically related
to nitric oxide (nitrogen monoxide), a colorless gas with
the chemical formula NO. NO2 forms when fossil fuels
such as coal, oil, gas or diesel are burned at high
temperatures. NO2 also mixes in the outdoor air to form particle pollution and ozone. NO2 is also
referred to as Nitrogen (IV) Oxide.
NO2 is one of the nitrogen oxides (NOx), a group of air pollutants produced from combustion
processes. In urban outdoor air, the presence of NO2 is mainly due to traffic. Nitric oxide (NO),
which is emitted by motor vehicles or other combustion processes, combines with oxygen in the
atmosphere, producing NO2. Indoor …show more content…
Exposure to NO2 may affect health independently of any effects of other pollutants. However,
because its presence is closely linked to the formation or presence of other air pollutants, it is
difficult to establish the health effects attributable to NO2 alone.
How is NO2 found in the atmosphere formed and where does it come from?
There are several ways of making NO2. First, there is the laboratory method, which involves
dropping a piece of copper foil into concentrated nitric acid (using a fume cupboard, if you don't
mind). Within seconds, the metal dissolves, forming a green-blue solution of copper nitrate and
brown fumes. Additional, NO2 is also formed by a car engine. Modern cars have catalytic
converters, and one of their functions is to catalyze the conversion of NO2 back into nitrogen and
oxygen. In the past, though, this NO2 escaped into the air. Even today, the air round some large
cities with high levels of car ownership can take on a distinctly brown tinge. This is bad news, as
NO2 is of course very toxic. When there is a temperature inversion above a city, a layer of