splodman

That's an interesting one. Do you think it would readily react with the no2 in its solid form, or would a solution soaked into paper be better? Thanks for all the input, it's helping a lot.

Thanks for the responses physicsfan. I probably didn't explain that the NO2 production is a side effect of a glow discharge and I just want to get rid of the NO2. I'm not sure I want to add nitric acid into the equation, I'm perhaps looking for something a whole lot more passive hence considering dry absorbing/adsorbing.

I might give that a go to see the effect - but the tube can get very warm (which I forgot to mention, sorry) and that would evaporate the water. There may be a cool spot a filter could sit in. I have also seen that ascorbic acid (AH2) will absorb NO2, but again most results appear to be when it is in solution.

Please consider the following: I have a small container of air (approx. 10 ml) and a source that is creating nitrogen dioxide by combining the oxygen and nitrogen in the container. I would like to find (and have been searching for) a means to absorb/adsorb the NO2 using, preferably, a replaceable dry filter. There is no air flow as such, in theory all of the oxygen would be combined with the nitrogen eventually leaving no oxygen. I'm not sure of the rate at which the NO2 is created, it gets to 200ppm in a few seconds. I have looked at activated carbon, soda lime and zeolite - the activated carbon has been reasonable - but if anyone has any ideas for a better option...

Yes, I think it probably does get a little irritating although I'm not sure if that is just the weight of it, how uncomfortable it is, the elevated temperatures or the high voltage. A little irritation may be acceptable if I was sure there was no long term damage. I'll still try and keep you guessing. I might post this bit in the physics sections, but as a follow up does anyone know of a good way of absorbing (or adsorbing) high levels of NO2 with an almost non existent flow rate? I'm looking at activated carbon, zeolite, soda lime...

Thanks, that was quick. I had gone through that data before and just had another look. Unfortunately most of the corrosive skin contact and eye contact details are about NO2 in liquid form, which is still a long way from it in gas form even in the higher concentrations I am looking at. It is unclear whether it is talking about the liquid or gas at one point when it mentions it is corrosive - but personal experience suggests it is not being corrosive at these levels. Everything still seems to point to respiritory problems. Thanks again for the quick pointer.

I would be interested on anyones opinion or guidance on the following: I have created a device that is connected to the ear. As a side effect of its design, the device creates nitrogen dioxide (NO2, and probably NO/NO3 so NOx). The NOx is not emitted into the atmosphere to be breathed it is trapped in a capsule sealed by the ear and exposes the outer ear to what would be considered fairly high concentrations (>200ppm) of the gas. The device may be used for several hours at a time. I have attempted as much research as I can to find any scientific tests or papers on the affect of NOx on the skin or ear. Of course there are many on the affects on the lungs and breathing the gas but I can find no clues as to what problems it may cause to the ear (no great surprise as it is an unusual application). Hopefully I'm posting in the right area, it is the biology of this I am most interested in and don't want to be causing minor irritation let alone things like cancers or hearing damage with the device. Thanks in advance for any input, it's my first post...