Department of Environment & Conservation
Jim Fyke, Commissioner
Air Quality Forecasts-Pollutants
Nitrogen oxides (NOx)-A group of highly reactive gases that react with volatile organic compounds to form ground-level ozone. NOx is produced from burning fuels, including gasoline and coal. Nitrogen dioxide is a criteria air pollutant.
Volatile organic compounds (VOC)-Volatile organic chemicals include gasoline, industrial chemicals such as benzene, solvents such as toluene and xylene, and tetrachloroethylene (perchloroethylene, the principal dry cleaning solvent). Many volatile organic chemicals are also hazardous air pollutants; for example, benzene causes cancer.
