ICD-10-CM Code T59.0X3A
Toxic effect of nitrogen oxides, assault, initial encounter

nitrogen dioxide poisoning is the illness resulting from the toxic effect of nitrogen dioxide. it usually occurs after the inhalation of the gas beyond the threshold limit value. nitrogen dioxide is reddish-brown with a very sharp, harsh smell at high concentrations. it is colourless and odourless at lower concentration, yet remains potentially harmful. nitrogen dioxide poisoning depends on the duration, frequency, and intensity of exposure. nitrogen dioxide (no2) is an irritant of the mucous membrane and is linked with other air pollutants that cause pulmonary diseases such as obstructive lung disease (old), asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (copd), and sometimes acute exacerbation of copd and in fatal cases, death. its poor solubility in water enhances its passage and its ability to pass through the moist mucosa of the respiratory tract. like most toxic gases, the dose inhaled determines the toxicity to the respiratory tract. occupational exposure constitutes the highest risk of toxicity; domestic exposure is uncommon. prolonged exposure to low concentrations of the gas may have lethal effects, as can short-term exposure to high concentrations, similarly to chlorine gas poisoning. it is one of the major air pollutants capable of causing severe heath hazards such as coronary artery disease as well as stroke. nitrogen dioxide is often released into the environment as a byproduct of fuel combustion but is rarely released by spontaneous combustion. known sources of no2 poisoning include automobile exhaust and power stations; toxicity may also result from non-combustible sources such as anaerobic fermentation of food grains and anaerobic digestion of biodegradable waste. historically, some areas in the u.s, including chicago and l.a, have high levels of the gas. the epa has set standard values of less than 100 parts per billion for one hour exposure and less than 53 ppb for chronic exposure. in addition, the who (world health organization) has developed a global recommendation to limit exposure to less than 20 parts per billion (ppb) for chronic exposure and less than 100ppb for one hour of acute exposure, using the gas as a marker for other pollutants from fuel combustion. the standard is also based on the particular concentration of no2 that has a significant and profound effect on the pulmonary function of asthmatic patients.