Building Occupant and Worker Exposures to Elevated Levels of Nitrogen Dioxide in the Built Environment

Nitrogen dioxide, along with nitric oxide, are the two most prevalent oxides of nitrogen, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Both are toxic gases with nitrogen dioxide being a highly reactive oxidant and corrosive. Nitrogen dioxide is also one of the indoor pollutants frequently listed by health authorities as a possible exposure concern in the built environment.

Potential health effects associated with exposure to elevated levels of nitrogen dioxide listed by the EPA include:

• Nitrogen dioxide acts mainly as an irritant affecting the mucosa of the eyes, nose, throat, and respiratory tract
• Extremely high-dose exposure (as in a building fire) may result in pulmonary edema and diffuse lung injury
• Continued exposure to high levels can contribute to the development of acute or chronic bronchitis
• Low level exposure may cause increased bronchial reactivity in some asthmatics, decreased lung function in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and an increased risk of respiratory infections - especially in young children

Nitrogen dioxide primarily gets into the air from the burning of fuel. It comes from emissions from vehicles, power plants, and off-road equipment. Indoors, the primary sources listed by the EPA also come from combustion processes. They include unvented combustion appliances, such as gas stoves, vented appliances with defective installations, welding, tobacco smoke, and kerosene heaters.

“Elevated concentrations of nitrogen dioxide can be a concern in residential and commercial settings, as well as an occupational hazard,” said Derrick A. Denis, Senior Vice President for Clark Seif Clark. “The Occupational Safety and Health Administration has set a Permissible Exposure Limit-Ceiling (PEL-C) for nitrogen dioxide, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health has a Recommended Exposure Limit-Short Term Exposure Limit (REL-STEL), and Cal/OSHA has a Permissible Exposure Limit-Short Term Exposure Limit (PEL-STEL) to help safeguard workers.”

To protect building occupants and workers, and to help businesses comply with health and safety regulations, the indoor air quality and industrial hygiene professionals at CSC offer testing, monitoring, training, and consulting services. Their experts identify and mitigate exposure risks to nitrogen dioxide and many other concerns. They have even sponsored an educational video about nitrogen dioxide and the indoor environment that can be seen at: https://youtu.be/4i6ng9kuLkM

To learn more about this or other building science and industrial hygiene services, please visit www.csceng.com, email csc@csceng.com, or call 800-807-1118.

About Clark Seif Clark, Inc. (CSC)
Since 1996, CSC has helped clients in both the public and private sectors address indoor air quality, occupational health, and environmental, health, and safety (EH&S) issues. CSC is a leading provider of these services with multiple offices along the western seaboard and southwest. The company believes in science-based protocols and has a strong background in engineering, making them the preferred environmental consultants to industrial clients, healthcare facilities, architects, schools, builders, contractors, developers, and real estate professionals.

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Paul Cochrane

President

Cochrane & Associates, LLC

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