Toxic Tuesdays
CHEJ highlights several toxic chemicals and the communities fighting to keep their citizens safe from harm.
CHEJ highlights several toxic chemicals and the communities fighting to keep their citizens safe from harm.
Nitrogen oxides are a group of gaseous chemicals. The two most relevant nitrogen oxides are nitrogen dioxide and nitric oxide, which are often collectively referred to as NOx. NOx are brown gases that are formed in a variety of processes. They are released from the combustion of fossil fuels, such as the burning of coal, oil, natural gas, and the use of motor vehicles. They can also be formed during metalworking activities like welding and electroplating. NOx can also be intentionally formed for use in producing other chemicals, dyes, and explosives.
Once released into the air, NOx can travel long distances from their original source, impacting human health and the environment across large geographic areas. Nitrogen dioxide can react with other chemicals in the environment to produce nitric acid, which is one of the main components of acid rain. NOx can also react with other chemicals in the environment to produce ozone, which contributes to the greenhouse effect and planetary warming.
Breathing NOx can have adverse health effects. People who work in or live near power plants and highways are the most likely to be exposed to outdoor air contaminated with NOx. Using wood-burning fireplaces, kerosene heaters, or gas stoves can also expose people to NOx in the air in their homes. NOx can also be found in tobacco smoke. Breathing low levels of NOx can cause irritation of the eyes, nose, throat, and lungs. This can lead to shortness of breath, fatigue, nausea, and buildup of fluid in the lungs. Exposure can worsen asthma and might cause asthma if the exposure lasts for a long time. Breathing high levels of NOx can cause muscle spasms, tissue swelling, reduced flow of oxygen in the body, and even death. There is some evidence that exposure is also associated with heart disease and diabetes. In studies of laboratory animals, NOx exposure during pregnancy caused defects in development of the fetus. The variety of short- and long-term health effects of NOx exposure, as well as the serious environmental impacts, makes clear that NOx pose significant danger to people and the planet.
Pyrethrins are a class of naturally occurring compounds derived from chrysanthemum flowers. They have been
Pyrethrins are a class of naturally occurring compounds derived from chrysanthemum flowers. They have been
Hydraulic fracturing (commonly known as fracking) is a technique that uses pressurized liquid to fracture