NITROGEN DIOXIDE
NO2 t0 Asthma: The Manifestation
Nitrogen Dioxide can manifest asthmatic symptoms in the body and cause both short and long term effects on the individual. Here's a rundown of that manifestation:
1. The Creation of Nitrogen Dioxide: Nitrogen Dioxide is created from the burning of fossil fuels at high temperatures. As stated before, this process is created from power plants, stove tops, welding, vehicle engines, factories, etc. Looking to specifics, NO2 forms when nitrogen oxides, which are created from combustion, react with oxygen in the atmosphere. As we can see, just by this description, Nitrogen Dioxide is primarily centered around human-made sources [2]
2. Entrance into the body: NO2 is known to enter the human body primarily through inhalation. If someone were to inhale no to it could penetrate deep into the respiratory system reaching the lungs and potentially causing adverse health effects. When NO2 is inhaled, it can irritate and inflame the airways. The size of NO2 is smaller than many particulate matter pollutants, such as PM 2.5 or PM 10 [1]. Being that they are lighter and smaller, they last longer airborne, which leads to deeper penetration into the respiratory system when inhaled.
3. Inside the respiratory system: When it enters the respiratory system, it can cause irritation in the airways leading to inflammation, which, in return, narrows the air passages, making it harder for people to breathe. It can also increase the risk of asthma developing in susceptible individuals, especially kids and older adults [7].
4. Effects on the bloodstream: Now in the bloodstream, NO2 can interact with various cells and tissues leading to systematic effects, react to substances in the respiratory system, such as proteins and lipids which lead to oxidative stress and inflammation. This is what causes the airways to be damaged causing inflammation, hence making it harder for air to pass through the airway [8].
5. Symptoms: Coughing, shortness of breath, tightness in the chest and other respiratory issues [1] have been reported to arise as a result of short term exposure to NO2 in the environment.
6. Affected Populations & Long Term Effects: Now in the long term, continuous exposure to nitrogen dioxide can cause respiratory diseases such as asthma to prevail and progress as an individual ages, while also causing other complications to arise. Increased exposure to NO2 in terms of kids can end up weakening their defenses that are and their body making them more susceptible to respiratory infections such as asthma [5]. The same goes for older adults and the elderly; they have a weakened immune system due to their age or other health concerns. Another population that is at risk of being affected by NO2 exposure are individuals that have respiratory problems, who are more susceptible and at risk of having severe asthmatic symptoms, which can lead to fatality.
