Nitrogen Dioxide Standard Released by EPA
Monday, April 19th, 2010 EPA released a new National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS) for nitrogen dioxide (NO2) in January. This new one-hour standard is aimed to protect public health from peak short-term exposures, especially along busy city streets and highways where NO2 exposure is the most likely. According to the EPA, NO2 exposure has been linked to impaired lung function and increased respiratory infections, especially in people with asthma.
NO2 is one of a group of highly reactive gasses. It forms quickly from emissions from cars, trucks, buses, power plants, and off-road equipment. In addition, NO2 contributes to the development of ground-level ozone and fine particle pollution.