Download Nitrogen Dioxide - Regional District of Central Okanagan

CENTRAL OKANAGAN CLEAN AIR STRATEGY
W H AT I S N I T R O G E N D I O X I D E ?
Nitrogen dioxide (NO2) belongs to a group of nitrogen-containing substances called nitrogen oxides (NO x). NOx are
released into the atmosphere from high-temperature combustion processes such as car engines, power plants and
industrial processes. Although primarily emitted as nitric oxide (NO), NO2 is rapidly formed when NO reacts with ozone
(O3) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). The major sources of NO2
oil and gas industry, and the use of fuel for electricity generation and heating. It is a precursor to fine particulate matter
(PM2.5), and contributes to acid rain.
SOURCES OF NO X IN THE CENTRAL OKANAGAN AIRSHED
On-road vehicles
4%
1%
6% 1%
O -road vehicles
Aircraft
8%
Rail
Point sources
8%
53%
Industrial sources
4%
Residential wood burning
Other non-industrial sources
15%
Incineration and prescribed burning
Other open sources
N I T R O G E N OX I D E FO R E C AST
FO R T H E C E N T R A L O KA N AG A N
8500
NOx
8400
Nitrogen dioxide can irritate the lungs and lower resistance to
respiratory infections such as influenza, and increase
short-term exposure are still unclear, but continued or frequent
8300
Tonnes of pollutant / year
H E A LT H A N D E N V I R O N M E N TA L E F F E C T S
exposure to concentrations that are typically much higher than
8200
those normally found in the ambient air may cause increased
8100
incidence of acute respiratory illness in children. EPA's
8000
health-based national air quality standard for NO2 is 0.053 ppm
7900
(measured as an annual arithmetic mean concentration).
Nitrogen oxides contribute to ozone formation and can have
7800
7700
Nitrogen oxides in the air can significantly contribute to a
7600
eutrophication in coastal waters like the Chesapeake Bay.
7500
7400
2006
2030
SO UR C ES
http://www.ec.gc.ca/indicateurs-indicators/default.asp?lang=en&n
=C8BFC3F2-1
http://www.epa.gov/airtrends/aqtrnd95/no2.html
in nutrients that leads to a reduction in the amount of oxygen in
the water, producing an environment that is destructive to fish
and other animal life.