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Nitrogen oxide also harms the environment, contributing to acidification of lakes and streams ([[acid rain]]).<ref name="TXU">[http://www.edf.org/article.cfm?contentID=5433 "The Health Risks of Burning Coal for Energy"] The Environmental Defense Fund, September 5, 2006</ref>
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Exposures to ozone and PM are both correlated with the development of and mortality from lung cancer. Recent research suggests that nitrogen oxides and PM2.5, along with other pollutants, are associated with hospital admissions for potentially fatal cardiac rhythm disturbances. Cities with high nitrogen dioxide (NO<sub>2</sub>) concentrations have death rates four times higher than those with low NO<sub>2</sub> concentrations, suggesting a potential correlation.<ref name="psr"/>
NOx also harms the environment, contributing to acidification of lakes and streams ([[acid rain]]).<ref name="TXU">[http://www.edf.org/article.cfm?contentID=5433 "The Health Risks of Burning Coal for Energy"] The Environmental Defense Fund, September 5, 2006</ref>
Nitrous oxide (N<sub>2</sub>O) is another compound of oxygen and nitrogen that can be a product of the reaction that occurs between nitrogen and oxygen during fossil fuel combustion. It is also a major greenhouse gas and air pollutant. Considered over a 100 year period, it has 298 times more impact per unit weight than carbon dioxide.<ref>2007 IPCC Fourth Assessment Report (AR4) by Working Group 1 (WG1), [http://www.ipcc.ch/pdf/assessment-report/ar4/wg1/ar4-wg1-chapter2.pdf Chapter 2 "Changes in Atmospheric Constituents and in Radiative Forcing"] which contains information on [[global warming potential]] (GWP) of greenhouse gases.</ref>
Aging coal plants "grandfathered" in after passage of the [[Clean Air Act]] have been particularly linked to large quantities of harmful emissions.<ref>[http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/5174391/ "Deadly Power Plants? Study Fuels Debate"] MSNBC.com, June 9, 2004</ref><ref>[http://www.environmentamerica.org/home/reports/report-archives/global-warming-solutions/global-warming-solutions/americas-biggest-polluters-carbon-dioxide-emissions-from-power-plants-in-2009#tduTppMOy9H6e9Y0dyCUeg "America's Biggest Polluters: Carbon Dioxide Emissions from Power Plants in 2007"] Environment America, November 24, 2009</ref>
