What is the difference between nitrogen dioxide and nitrogen monoxide

Nitrous oxide is a colourless gas with a slightly sweet odour and taste. The reason it is nicknamed laughing gas is due to the happy euphoric feeling that people get when they inhale it. Inhaling too much of either of these gases can be dangerous as they displace oxygen in the blood, which reduces the oxygen flowing to the brain and other vital organs.

This can cause dizziness, loss of consciousness, asphyxiation, brain damage and even death. Between and nitrous oxide was blamed for 17 deaths and a bill has been drafted to ban the production and distribution of nitrous oxide and other psychoactive substances if it is intended to be consumed recreationally.

Photochemical smog, most common in sunny, dry locations, is created when NO 2 from gas combustion is exposed to sunlight, splits and releases an oxygen ion O. The released O combines with oxygen molecule O 2 forming ozone O 3. Ozone is one of the major secondary pollutants.

You can read more about ozone pollution in our blog: Why do I have an ozone pollution problem and what can I do about it? Indoor NO 2 levels are a result of both indoor and outdoor sources. While indoor NO 2 is produced by unvented heaters and gas stoves, high outdoor NO 2 levels originating from local traffic and other combustion sources can influence indoor levels.

Air pollution is a serious problem and we should all be concerned. Worldwide, more deaths per year are linked to air pollution than to automobile accidents. NO 2 is both a primary and secondary pollutant. Air pollution impacts everyone but some of us are more susceptible than others: children and seniors, people with existing lung and heart conditions, people working and exercising outdoors.

To combat the serious health effects it is important to find out more about air pollution, such as areas of heavy concentration, elements of composition and cause. To get this information, comprehensive air quality monitoring must be undertaken using air monitoring devices, such as shown below.

These can be portable, ideal for checking pollution hot-spots or personal exposure, or fixed monitors, which measure the air continuously so you know when NO 2 levels are high. Both measure the air in real-time giving you accurate readings to make informed decisions. Portable monitors to measure NO 2. Aeroqual makes sensors and equipment for air quality monitoring. Monitoring NO 2 and other pollutants is easy as See our portable outdoor air quality monitors to learn more.

She enjoys guiding them to find the right solution to help them understand the air they breathe. About Sitemap Privacy. Toggle navigation. Last Updated: Mar 24, Twinky Tagle. Published: Dec 13, When nitrogen meets oxygen At room temperature, nitrogen is a very inactive gas — a couch potato, you might say.

Nitrogen oxides NO x is a collective term used to refer to nitrogen monoxide nitric oxide or NO and nitrogen dioxide NO 2 Nitrogen monoxide NO is a colourless gas and one of the principal oxides of nitrogen Nitrogen dioxide NO 2 is a reddish-brown gas with a pungent, acrid odour and one of the several oxides of nitrogen. NOx can be from natural, biogenic and industrial sources Natural sources: Mainly thunderstorms due to the extreme heat of lightning.

The impact of NOx to humans and environment How does the presence of nitrogen oxides impact me? Code for developers. Systems Status. Legal notice. Creative commons license. CMS login. Toggle navigation Skip to content. Advanced search A-Z Glossary.

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