Nitrogen Oxides are air pollutants that as we have learned from different sources, come from fuel emissions that occur when oil, gas, coal, or diesel are burned at high temperatures. The sources of nitrogen oxides may seem to be seem to be separate from our own lives, but exposure to any level of it can cause effects in our health. Reading about these effects in websites such as sparetheair.com, can help directly associate cause to effect.

The amount of irritation that is caused to our respiratory tracts is based on how healthy we are, how much pollution there is in the air, and how long or how much we are exposed to this exact pollutant. The major health effects that come from inhalation or contact with Nitrogen oxides are cardiovascular and respiratory illnesses as these pollutants make it much more difficult from people to get oxygen to their lungs and in turn, to their hearts. Some examples of symptoms that may occur are: wheezing, coughing,tightness, lung damage, coughing, headache,nausea,and  reduced resistance to infections. Respiratory diseases that can form from these symptoms are bronchitis, asthma, and emphysema.

The people who are most affected by this pollutant are those who have already had respiratory and cardiovascular problems, children, elderly, pregnant women, outdoor workers, and athletes. The big problem that we will face with pollutants is that these symptoms and diseases end up becoming a long term trend.

– Valeria Olaya-Florez