What percentage of nitrogen dioxide (NO2) is considered fatal?

Nitrogen dioxide (NO2) is a toxic gas that can cause serious health problems, particularly affecting the respiratory system. A concentration of about 0.01% (or 100 parts per million) is considered to be a critical level where the risk of severe health effects, including fatality, drastically increases. Prolonged exposure to this concentration can lead to significant respiratory distress and toxicity, particularly in vulnerable populations such as those with pre-existing health conditions.

Higher concentrations can indeed be more dangerous; however, 0.01% marks a threshold for serious concern in terms of potential fatal outcomes for individuals exposed to this gas. Understanding the effects of nitrogen dioxide is vital for occupational safety and environmental health, particularly in scenarios involving combustion processes or industrial emissions where NO2 can be prevalent.