Just Say NO2: Question About Nitrogen Dioxide Affirms Book-Web Approach

By Henry Ehrlich

In a field as fluid as medicine, publishing a book is not enough. As comprehensive as it is, close reading should raise questions as well as answer them. That is why we have this website, and since that isn’t enough either, we have also welcomed the chance to take part in social media, including the Arizona Food Allergy Alliance (AFAA) Facebook book club. One of their close readers asked a question that only makes us feel better about this expansive view of authorship and communication:

“In Asthma Allergies Children, you have written about indoor airborne irritants in Chapter 12 (pg. 249 in the ibook). When you write about gas stoves giving off nitrogen dioxide, are you referring to gas ranges for cooking, gas stoves for heating, or both?”

Fair enough. Fortunately, the web also makes it easy to appear more knowledgeable than we really are. This is what it says on the EPA website.

“The two most prevalent oxides of nitrogen are nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and nitric oxide (NO). Both are toxic gases with NO2 being a highly reactive oxidant and corrosive. The primary sources indoors are combustion processes, such as unvented combustion appliances, e.g. gas stoves, vented appliances with defective installations, welding, and tobacco smoke….Sources of Nitrogen Dioxide Kerosene heaters, un-vented gas stoves and heaters. Environmental tobacco smoke.”

Buy the book. Read the book. (As the AFAA people know, it makes a lovely gift, and visit their lovely website.) And send questions of your own.

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