Nitrogen Oxide
With new technologies introduced into our society in the past hundred years such as motor vehicles and electric utilities, many pollutants are put into the air. One of these pollutants is Nitrogen oxide. Nitrogen oxide, or NOx, is a group of highly reactive gases, all of which contain nitrogen and oxygen. These gases form when fuel is burned at high temperatures. These gases react in the presence of sunlight and can be carried hundreds of miles from their origins, causing air pollution over wide regions. In 1997, over 23 million tons of nitrogen oxides were emitted into the air in the United States. This is an obvious problem in our society that causes acid rain, smog, global warming, and water quality deterioration. In this paper we are going to discuss the main reason for the high level of NOx and the ways society and government can do to help lower the level of NOx in the air. The main reason we have an inefficient level of nitrogen oxide is because of the increase use of cars and electric utilities. The Environmental Protection Agency says, "Emission reductions from electric utilities and other large boilers would be the most cost effective in terms of dollars spent per ton of NOx reduced." With the large amount
"Acid Rain." Environmental Protection Agency. Online. Internet. 11 December 2000. In summary, pollution taxes are preferable to command and control regulations since pollution taxes minimize abatement costs and provide other desirable incentives. But, under certain conditions, pollution taxes are less desirable than command and control because techniques in achieving the correct level of NOx. It would be hard to choose between these two, luckily marketable pollution permits combines the desirable qualities of both. In trading permits, firms can minimize their abatement costs and reach the target level of pollution efficiently. Along with tradable permits, the government should invest in new technology that helps prevent pollution. Along with new technology, individuals can do their part in reducing NOx in the air. Individuals can use energy efficient appliances, turn off lights, computers, and other appliances when not using them, carpool, buy vehicles with low NOx emissions, maintain all vehicles well, and be well informed. If individuals and f! el of pollution. Since the government does not have perfect information on how the polluters will respond to the taxes, it is hard for them to accurately pick the correct tax level. A further way for the government to reduce NOx is by tradable permits. Available: www.epa.gov/airmarkets/acidrain. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ 1998. Available: www. epa.gov/airlinks. ernment sells the permits then it leaves it up to the different firms to reach the required pollution level. A disadvantage with this system is the geographic considerations. For some pollution, the geographic location can have a big effect on the damages the pollution generates. If the pollution stays in mainly one area then it is easy to use marketable permits. If the pollution moves via the wind then the choice between marketable permits and pollution taxes is difficult. This is difficult in NOx because it stays in an area as smog and also moves to other areas as acid rain. The last way for the government to control the level of NOx is through pollution prevention. ren, elderly, and people with chronic lung problems. Acid rain is formed when NOx and sulfur dioxide react with other substances to form acids that fall to the earth as rain, snow, fog, or dry particles. Acids can be carried by the wind for hundreds of miles. Acid rain damages forests, cars, and buildings. Acid rain contaminates lakes and streams, making it unsuitable for fishes to live in. Water quality deterioration happens when heavy am
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Approximate Word count = 1766
Approximate Pages = 7 (250 words per page double spaced)
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