Scientists Advocate Lowering of Nitrogen Levels

Scientists Advocate Lowering of Nitrogen Levels

Nitrogen is one of the most vital fertilizers for crop productions. Unfortunately, excessive levels of nitrogen can cause health hazards. There are numerous human activities which can cause reactive nitrogen such as ammonia and nitrous oxide to be bad for human health and the environment. Nitrogen pollution could elevate to more than 20% of its current levels if no actions are taken.

The risks of nitrogen pollution can be reduced by 50% if environmentalists and consumers take adequate care. Nitroigen is an important nutrient for the soil and the crops. It plays a vital role in nurturing the growth of the agricultural produce. However, excessive levels of anything are bad and this includes nitrogen.

Moreover, nitrogen also takes different forms through chemical reactions and it leads to an increase in the amount of dust particles in the air. This can lead to the developement of toxic ground-level ozone. Extremely high levels of nitrogen can also destabilise water ecosystems.

The study also yielded conclusions regarding the need for regulating nitrogen use so that risks could be eliminated from food production and consumption. Every second ton of nitrogen that is placed in the fields is not absorbed by the crops. Instead, it is blown away by the wind or absorbed by rain water. It may also be decomposed by microbes and microorganisms in the soil.

To reduce losses and prevent health from being adversely effected, farmers need to target fertilizer applications by measuring soil requirements when they are tending to needs of plants and crops. Farmers should also aim at using organic fertilizers in conjunction with nitrogen.

Consumers in developed nations would also benefit from halving food waste and meat consumption. This would be a good way to protect the environment from damage. The studies conduted by the scientists involved using computer simulations to explore different mitigation measures.

A massive rise in the levels of nitrogen dioxide can damage the lungs and lead to respiratory problems. It can also cause cancer. Nitrogen pollution is causing damage to the environment and if timely mitigation efforts are made, it will benefit the health of people and lead to better soil conditions for agriculturists and farmers.

Nitrous oxide is a major source of greenhouse hases. However, nitrogen containing aerosols scatter light and cool the climate. Therefore, nitrogen is also important for the welfare of the environment. Excessive levels should be avoided though. This is because the nitrogen cycle has been interwoven with the climate system in many ways.

The health effects of massive nitrogen pollution are terrible. Mitigating excessive levels of nitrogen in the air can avert climate risks in the future and lead to better living conditions. Fertilizer companies should also diversify into areas such as production of organic manure as this can lead to better profits and also protect the health of the people and the environment. All in all, with adequate awareness and change in attitudes, an unbalanced rise of nitrogen levels can be controlled.

"Currently the health effects of nitrogen pollution are clearly more important, because the different climate effects largely cancel out. But this may change-hence limiting nitrogen would have the double benefit of helping our health today and avoiding climate risks in the future."

The findings are published in the journal Nature Communications.