Toxic substances list: nitrogen dioxide

Nitrogen dioxide originates from both anthropogenic and natural sources. The main anthropogenic sources are from combustion in transportation, industry and the electric power generation sectors, whereas emissions from natural sources are mainly from forest fires, lightening and soil microbial activity. Nitrogen oxides have been identified as one of the principal precursors to ground-level ozone and fine particulate matter.

CAS (Chemical Abstract Service) registry number: 10102-44-0

Risk assessment

• Scientific Assessment Reports for Nitrogen Oxides
• Order Adding Nitric Oxide and Nitrogen Dioxide to Schedule 1 of the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999 July 2, 2003
• Full life cycle management of the substance (Track 2) under the Toxic Substances Management Policy

Sources

This substance is entering the environment from the following sources:

• Electric Power Generation Sector (Fossil Fuel)
• Environmental Emergency
• Vehicles, Engines and Fuels

Risk management Sstrategy

Click on the following link to view strategies and actions recommended to manage risks associated with the substance:

• Interim Plan 2001 on Particulate Matter and Ozone

Risk management tools

Tools developed to manage risks associated with the substance:

• National Framework for Petroleum Refinery Emission Reductions
• Environmental Emergency Regulations
• New Source Emission Guidelines for Thermal Electricity Generation
• Canada-wide Standards for Particulate Matter (PM) and Ozone 
• Automotive Parts Manufacturers' Association: environmental performance agreement overview (no longer in effect)
• On-Road Vehicle and Engine Emission Regulations
• Off-Road Small Spark-Ignition Engine Emission Regulations
• Off-Road Compression-Ignition Engine Emission Regulations
• Regulations Amending the On-Road Vehicle and Engine Emissions Regulations
• Sulphur in Diesel Fuel Regulations
• Regulations amending the sulphur in diesel fuel regulations
• Sulphur in Gasoline Regulations

Consultation

Consultation (past and present) on the substance:

• Federal Agenda on Cleaner Vehicles, Engines and Fuels
• Preliminary Consultation on a Discussion Draft of the Off-Road Compression-Ignition Engine Emission Regulations (archived consultation document)
• Federal Agenda for the Reduction of VOCs from Consumer and Commercial Products

Other information

• Air Pollution
• Acid Rain
• Clean Air in Canada: 2003 Progress Report on Particulate Matter and Ozone
• Volatile Organic Compounds in Consumer and Commercial Products
• Air Pollutant Emissions Inventory
• National Pollutant Release Inventory (NPRI) - Information Centre

Contact

Substances Management Information Line
Chemicals Management Plan
Environment and Climate Change Canada
Gatineau, QC K1A 0H3

Telephone: 1-800-567-1999  (in Canada) or 819-938-3232
Email: substances@ec.gc.ca

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