Nitrogen dioxide risks

In addition to the health risks, nitrogen dioxide in reaction to textile dyes can cause fading or yellowing of fabrics. Exposure to nitrogen dioxide can also weaken fabrics or reduce their affinity for certain dyes. Industry has devoted considerable resources to developing textiles and dyes resistant to nitrogen oxide exposure. 

FAS is normally characterized by growth retardation, anomalies of the head and face, and psychomotor dysfunctions. Excessive consumption of ethyl alcohol may lead to malformations of the heart, extremities, and kidneys. Since consumption of ethyl alcohol is socially acceptable and prevalent even in pregnant women, the risks associated with the use of ethyl alcohol are remarkable. However, it should be kept in mind that there are several chemical compounds in tlie occupational environment that may also cause malformations even at low doses. The oc-cupationally-important known human teratogens include methyl mercury, ethyl alcohol, PCB compounds, tobacco smoke, lead, TCDD, 2,4,5- F, carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide, gasoline, and fluoride. 

From the above it can be concluded that the risk for lung cancer induction from chronic indoor exposure to Rn-d is unlikely to be higher than 1.10 4/mSv. in order to understand the magnitude of this risk it has to be emphasized that man can be exposed to a multitude of different hazardous materials in the indoor atmosphere besides Rn-d, such as formaldehyde, nitrogen dioxide, carbon monoxide, nitrosamines, polyaromatic hydrocarbons, volatile organic compounds, asbestos and pesticides (Gammage and Kaye, 1985). 

Samet JM, Utell MJ The risk of nitrogen dioxide What have we learned from epidemiological and clinical studies Toxicol Ind Health 6 247-262, 1990... 

Criteria pollutants six common pollutants—ozone (O3), carbon monoxide (CO), sulfur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), lead (Pb), and particulate matter less than 10 microns (10 pm) in size—regulated since 1970 in the United States and presenting relatively well quantified risks... 

Outdoor air pollution studies on the effects of nitrogen dioxide in healthy adult humans do not conclusively show a relationship between ambient concentrations of nitrogen dioxide and respiratory effects. However, children and people with asthma appear to be at greater risk of respiratory effects. 

In animal and in vitro studies, inhaled nitric oxide has led to surfactant inactivation and promotion of oxidative and nitrosylative lung injury (2). These effects have not been reported during clinical use of inhaled nitric oxide at concentrations less than 80 ppm. In a review of two articles it was noted that nitric oxide does not increase the risk of chronic lung disease of the newborn, despite speculation that it may increase chronic lung disease of prematurity due to the formation of nitrogen dioxide and peroxynitrite, in addition to membrane lipid peroxidation and increased unbound plasma iron in preterm infants (7). 

Chauhan AJ, Krishna MT, Frew AJ, Holgate ST Exposure to nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and respiratory disease risk. Rev Environ Health 1998 13 73-90. 

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