The new consistency of concrete promises a clearer air

Nitrogen oxide (NO) is a highly toxic element that negatively influences the environment, destroys the ozone layer, and causes a different disease in people. Concrete is a product that produces one of the highest amounts of this substance. So, building companies actively looking for a solution to this problem, and now it seems like they found it.

The main source: Nitro-concrete promises cleaner air

What we must change to reduce NO emission

According to scientists, just adding nitrogen can significantly reduce the NO emission. It`s not empty talk. It is a result of research by Yuli Shan and Ning Zhang – associate professors in sustainable transitions at the University of Birmingham. In practice, factories must nitrogenize their concrete. But in real life, it might be challenging because there is no constant algorithm on how to do that. Also, problems with gas delivery may exist.

How changes in concrete will influence global climatology

There are a lot of benefits that this innovation brings. First of all, it reduces NO emissions by 13%, which is around 13% of all NO emissions.

Secondly – it has economic benefits. Adding nitrogen into concrete may reduce ills and simplify the handling of building rubbish.

Researchers also add: “Between 1970 and 2018, global NOx emissions nearly doubled from 70Mt to 120Mt. Addressing and managing these emissions is crucial for enhancing urban health, fostering sustainable industrial growth, and ensuring environmental well-being. There is significant potential for concrete in capturing NOx. Applying this technology holds promise for rapidly urbanizing and emerging industrial regions, as it can generate substantial economic value and curtail industrial NOx pollution in these areas.

All these changes will be especially true for “Global South” countries that have high rates of urbanization. Also, scientists propose to introduce a system of limitation that is similar to the CO2 control system.