A new study in the British Medical Journal (BMJ) shows increased deaths from cardiovascular (heart) and respiratory (lung) conditions on the day that follows an increase in nitrogen dioxide (NO2). The study looked at 398 cities around the world, including 147 cities in the U.S.
The study found that there was no threshold for the increased deaths – meaning that there is no safe level of exposure. There are increased deaths at all levels of NO2 exposure.
In the U.S., the average annual measured NO2 level was 28.7µg m-3, which is far below the current annual NO2 standard of 53ppb (equivalent to 100µg m-3). Despite the measured level of NO2 being far below the current standard, the study showed that NO2 causes 1.6% of all deaths in the U.S. at the measured level of 28.7µg m-3 (compared to if we had an NO2 level of 0).
In the U.S., NO2 exposure comes from burning fossil fuels for power generation and transportation. We need policy changes to reduce our exposure to outdoor air: clean transportation, clean renewable energy, and clean offroad machines.
While this study did not look at indoor air pollution from NO2, studies show that homes with gas appliances, especially gas stoves, increase levels of indoor NO2. We expect NO2 to cause the same harm whether it is indoor or outdoor air pollution. To reduce your risk from gas appliances, be sure they are ventilated to the outside, and if possible replace them with an electric stove. If you have a gas stove and no exhaust fan to the outside, open or crack windows when you cook or bake.
03/25/2021
