What does Nitrogen Dioxide do to Children’s Lungs?

What does Nitrogen Dioxide do to Children’s Lungs?

For those tempted by the populist media in to believing that ULEZ is a restriction on their freedoms, they must surely live in ignorance of the scientific evidence that proves how tailpipe emissions including nitrogen dioxide are permanently damaging children’s lungs.

Nitrogen Dioxide an Acid in the Making

Nitrogen dioxide (NO2) can contribute to the acidification of children’s lungs. Here’s how:

  • Formation of Nitric Acid: When NO2 interacts with moisture in the lungs, it can react to form nitric acid.
  • Acidic Environment: Nitric acid is a strong acid. Its presence in the lungs can disrupt the delicate balance of the lung’s environment, making it more acidic.

Why is lung acidification harmful?

  • Damage to Lung Tissue: An acidic environment can damage the delicate tissues of the lungs, leading to inflammation and irritation.
  • Impaired Lung Function: Acidification can interfere with the normal functioning of lung cells, affecting their ability to exchange oxygen and carbon dioxide effectively.
  • Increased Susceptibility to Infections: An acidic environment can weaken the lung’s defenses against infections, making individuals more vulnerable to respiratory illnesses.

How does acidification of the lung affect children?

Nitrogen dioxide (NO2) is one of a number of pollutants that can lower air quality harmful air pollutant that can have several negative effects on children’s lungs:

  • Respiratory Infections: NO2 can irritate the lungs and make children more susceptible to respiratory infections like colds, flu, and pneumonia.
  • Asthma: Children with asthma are particularly sensitive to NO2. Exposure can trigger asthma attacks, worsen symptoms, and even lead to the development of asthma in some cases.
  • Impaired Lung Development: Studies suggest that long-term exposure to NO2 may impair lung development in children, potentially leading to reduced lung function and increased respiratory problems later in life.
  • Increased Hospitalizations: Children exposed to high levels of NO2 are more likely to be hospitalized for respiratory problems.

So why do people object to ULEZ?

There various instance of Low Emission Zone expansion that have become very contentious across the country , but given the above evidence why is this the case? Surely protecting the health of children, particular given that residual effects of impaired lung development can last a lifetime?

This is down to the politicisation of issue, any populist will use a wedge issue such as this to drive division and hopefully pick up more votes in the process.

So my main two take outs from NO2 / Children’s lung post is a psychological / political ones, what is the depth of the cognitive dissonance in:

  • Our leaders (ex PM Sunak, Truss etc) that they can speak out against ULEZ, on economic grounds fueling the divided and playing into the hands of populist media.
  • The blinkered reader of the populist press. That they look at just one part of of the problem (ULEZ charge / Inconvenience) and via their sense of entitlement decry ULEZ as an attack on their freedoms, following the narrative of populist politician and media. . . . whilst ignoring theĀ  very real and long lasting impacts that their driving habits have on the their children’s and grandchildren’s lungs!

References

Meta-analysis of the effects of indoor nitrogen dioxide and gas cooking on asthma and wheeze in children

Medical Management Guidelines for Nitrogen Oxides

The respiratory health effects of nitrogen dioxide in children with asthma

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