When nitrogen dioxide (NO2) reacts with nitric oxide (NO), they form NOx or nitrogen oxide, a gas that has adverse effects on the environment and human health. NOx is also the pollutant linked to the Dieselgate diesel emissions scandal involving several prominent carmakers, including Volkswagen, BMW, Renault, and Mercedes-Benz.
As such, reports that focus on the increase of nitrogen dioxide emissions are important. The impact of NO2 pollution is not as well-documented as carbon dioxide despite the fact that several of the major cities in the world registered high levels of NO2. The US Health Effects Institute’s research lists Shanghai, Moscow, Tehran, St. Petersburg, and Beijing as the cities with the highest levels of nitrogen dioxide. Shanghai, for example, has NO2 levels that exceed 40µg/m3. This is despite the fact that 18 of China’s cities have the most improved NO2 levels.
Scientists who carried out the study utilised ground-level readings and satellite data in collecting information regarding NO2 air pollution and PM2.5 or fine particulate matter in over 7,000 cities. They discovered that compared to other pollutants – specifically PM2.5 – carbon dioxide, and PM10, NO2 received lesser attention and studies related to it are limited. Additionally, there aren’t enough avenues provided for NO2 monitoring and detection.
Nitrogen dioxide may not have a mortality risk similar to PM2.5 but anyone exposed to it can still suffer from life-changing health issues, such as breathing problems and asthma. NO2 emissions also have significant impacts on the environment, particularly on plants and crops.
Additionally, as mentioned earlier, nitrogen dioxide is a component of nitrogen oxide, which is a dangerous pollutant released by diesel vehicles.
Nitrogen oxide or NOx
Nitrogen oxide is a result of a combustion process that involves nitrogen and oxygen, high temperatures, and high pressure. Even its main components by their lonesome – NO and NO2 – contribute to the harmful impact NOx imposes on the environment and human health.
NOx indirectly affects humans because it harms the ecosystems we depend on – both on land and in water. Exposure to nitrogen oxide emissions makes plants vulnerable to frost and damage. It also impacts animal health.
Several studies have also proven that nitrogen oxide emissions can trigger mental health issues such as depression and anxiety. Research findings have also established a link between NOx emissions and reduced cognitive function.
Health impacts on people exposed to NOx emissions include chronically reduced lung function, appetite loss, bronchitis, emphysema, headaches, eye irritation, corroded teeth, asthma and aggravated asthma, and breathing problems.
If a person is regularly exposed to high levels of nitrogen oxide emissions, health impacts are often serious. When the particles enter the lungs, this can lead to increased susceptibility to lung and heart disease and certain cancers, particularly for those who already have the condition/s. Other severe health impacts include asphyxiation, spasm of the vocal cords or laryngospasm, and premature death.
Toxic air has become a major cause of early deaths worldwide and is considered to be even more dangerous than smoking.
Toxic air and the Dieselgate scandal
As previously mentioned, nitrogen oxide is the pollutant linked to the diesel emissions scandal. The scandal involved the Volkswagen Group and their use of defeat devices, which are considered highly illegal by authorities and governments around the world.
It was in September 2015 when the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the California Air Resources Board discovered the defeat devices in VW and Audi diesel vehicles. These devices are used to detect when a vehicle is in testing so they could automatically and artificially cap emissions levels to within the legal limits set by the World Health Organization (WHO).
However, when a vehicle installed with a defeat device is brought out of the lab and driven outside controlled conditions, it emits voluminous amounts of NOx emissions, the levels of which are in excess of the EU- and WHO-mandated limits.
So, contrary to what VW told their customers, their vehicles are pollutants – unsafe for the environment and humans. The carmaker marketed their vehicles with defeat devices as clean, safe, and of premium quality. They clearly lied to and deceived their customers.
A few years later, Mercedes-Benz went through what VW did after defeat devices were found in their diesel vehicles. US owners of Mercedes vehicles also started planning a class-action lawsuit against the carmaker.
Other carmakers were soon implicated in the diesel emissions scandal, including BMW, Renault, Ford, Nissan, Alfa Romeo, and Peugeot, among others.
Dieselgate compensation claim
A Dieselgate compensation claim is what affected car owners need to bring their carmakers to court. It is a legal process that allows the drivers to collect payment for the inconvenience that their manufacturers caused them through the use of defeat devices (including the health impacts).
To bring forward a diesel claim, all you have to do is look for a panel of emissions solicitors that can guide you as you start the process. The first step is to verify if you are eligible to receive compensation, and you’ll need the help of ClaimExperts.co.uk to do this. Once you’ve verified your eligibility, you can begin working on your claim. Visit their site here – https://www.claimexperts.co.uk/mercedes-diesel-emissions-claims-dieselgate-compensation/
