Collaborative Science Project - SMOG by Franek Gwardyś

Classification of smog - compound found in particulate matter

2025-06-24 10:33:28 UTC

Composition of Smog includes a variety of harmful gases, such as nitrogen oxides (NO and NO₂), as well as carbon oxides(CO and CO₂) being particularly significant. NO and NO₂, are primarily produced from the high-temperature combustion of fossil fuels, especially by cars, trucks, and industrial processes like metalworking, chemical production or machining. NO is emitted directly, while NO₂ often forms in the atmosphere through the process called oxidation. These gases are characteristic components of Los Angeles-type or in other words photochemical smog, which forms under UV radiation and is most harmful in warm, sunny climates.

CO is another byproduct of incomplete combustion, released by vehicle engines, power plants, and domestic heating, contributing to both London-type and Los Angeles-type smog. CO₂, while less toxic, is a major greenhouse gas produced on a massive scale by all forms of combustion and industrial activity. It plays a less significant role in smog than nitrogen oxides, however it reflects the scale of human emissions. Though their exact effects vary, these gases generally cause irritation to the human respiratory system, potentially leading to coughing, difficulty breathing, and increased vulnerability to respiratory diseases, especially in sensitive populations or people with chronic disrases.

Research question:

gwardysfranek — 2025-06-24 10:33:59 UTC

To what extent do the nitrogen oxides found in particulate matter contribute to the respiratory system disfunctions?

Topic:💨☁️

2025-06-24 10:34:59 UTC

Respiratory system complications caused by the chemical compounds found in smog.

Refferences:📚👩‍🏫

2025-06-24 10:38:32 UTC

Articles used

Rationale 🤔📖❓

2025-06-24 10:47:19 UTC

As particulate matter consists of a multitude of different compounds it is difficult to pinpoint which components are responsible for the various health complications smog can inflict upon exposure. Because of that we decided to focus solely on gases constituting smog, that occur separately from particulate matter. To narrow the scope even more and to he more precise in the findings we want to specifically take a look at nitrogen oxides.

Effect of the nitrogen dioxide on the resistance to respiratory infection

gwardysfranek — 2025-06-24 11:07:51 UTC

The impact of the nitrogen oxide has to be devided into a direct cause of the chronic diseases such as bronchial asthma (of various intensities) and a susceptibility to respiratory infections as a result of acute and chronic exposure to the pollutant. Air polutants cause damage to the respirator system through a direct contact with the skin and the exposed membranes. The extent of this damage is dependant on the polutant's physicochemical properties (like its solubility), concentration or the duration of exposure. Solubility is a very important factor as it influences the pollutants ability to penetrat into deeper levels of respiratory system. Nitrogen dioxide for example due to its low solubility is able to reach the lower respiratory tract and exert more serious consequences. "The effects of the gaseous air pollutants on the membranous surfaces of the respiratory system are of special intrest from the standpoint of resistance to respiratory infections. An irritant gas reaching the epithelium of the trachea or the bronchi can paralyze cilia, alter mucus flow, affect phagocytic activity and in severe exposures destroy the surface layers of the epithelial lining. These functions constitue the major defense mechanisms and play an important role in respiratory infections." Because of this nitrogen dioxide apart from causing many chronic diseases also reduces the person's immunity to respiratory infections and thus casues far more severe consequences.

NO and secretions in the airways

2025-06-24 11:08:36 UTC

When the airway surface lining epithelium comes in contact with NO (nitric oxide), complex interactions take place. As NO is a radical it possesses high reactivity and can disturb certain processes. It is of note however that NO is naturally present in some reactions taking place in our body - it is a like many compounds crucial in maintaining homeostasis. Excess NO can disturb the electrolyte transport and result in increased secretion of surface liquids and mucus - that directly is a cause of various breathing disorders.

Nitrogen oxide exposure in children

2025-06-24 11:18:47 UTC

Young children are at a particularly dangerous level of exposure, because of their higher demand for air relative to their body mass - an issue less evident in adults. Additionally the overall greater activity of children can increase the demand. The exposure can be detrimental in the early childhood during the phases of lung development - the improprieties can result in smaller or dysfunctional lungs.

Group Members

gwardysfranek — 2025-06-24 11:22:24 UTC

Franek Gwardyś

Miłosz Słupski

Jakub Ślesak

Miłosz Kot

Antek Schwabe

Case study

2025-06-24 11:28:48 UTC

Yokkaichi asthma. It is a combination of multiple diseases: chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, chronic bronchitis, pulmonary emphysema and bronchial asthma. It was the subject of the first court case related to pollution in Japan. It is cause by SOx compounds found in smog. Its name comes from the Yokkaichi city where a lot of factories were located. However, the most affected place was the Isozu village, where 2.5% od the population was affected by the disease. After multiple studies, it was confirmed that the main source of the disease was SO3. The symptoms include shortness of breath, cough, sputum production, fast breathing rate, breathlessness, depression, anxiety and many others. It was directly caused by the smog produced by the factories in the Yokkaichi region and is an example how smog affects the human body.

Initial brainstorming notes 🧠⚡️

2025-06-24 11:29:48 UTC

More about NOx in photochemical smog

2025-06-25 18:41:23 UTC

In the context of photochemical smog, nitrogen oxides (NOx) are very likely to undergo complex reactions when being present in air. When they are mixed with highly reactive oxygen species (superoxidants) such as the hydroxyl radical (OH) and the superoxide anion (O2-). These series of reactions transform NOx into lots of more compounds that can later be transformed into more dangerous gases. For example, nitric oxide (NO) can react with superoxide (O2-) to form peroxynitrite. This oxidant is highly damage biological tissues. It can also transform in other harmful compounds such as hydroxyl radicals, nitrogen dioxide, and carbonate radicals.