what is no2

Nitrogen dioxide (NO2) is a chemical compound with the formula NO2, and it is one of several nitrogen oxides. NO2 is an intermediate in the industrial synthesis of nitric acid, and it is used as an oxidizer in rocket fuel, as a nitrating agent in the manufacturing of chemical explosives, as a polymerization inhibitor for acrylates, as a flour bleaching agent, and as a room temperature sterilization agent. NO2 primarily gets into the air from the burning of fuel, such as emissions from cars, trucks, and buses, power plants, and off-road equipment. NO2 is also a member of a family of chemicals comprised of nitrogen and oxygen that are collectively known as nitrogen oxides, and it contributes to the reddish-brown haze characteristic of smoggy air. Breathing air with a high concentration of NO2 can irritate airways in the human respiratory system, aggravate respiratory diseases, particularly asthma, leading to respiratory symptoms (such as coughing, wheezing, or difficulty breathing), hospital admissions, and visits to emergency rooms. Longer exposures to elevated concentrations of NO2 may contribute to the development of asthma and potentially increase susceptibility to respiratory infections. A 2022 review of multiple studies found that elevated levels of NO2, as well as elevated particulate matter and sulfur dioxide, were strongly associated with heart and lung harm, affected pregnancy and birth outcomes, and were likely associated with increased risk of kidney and neurological harm, autoimmune issues, and.