Concrete-nitrogen mixture could offer substantial health and environmental advantages Introducing nitrogen into concrete has the potential to markedly reduce global levels of nitrogen oxides (NOx) generated by the construction industry in developing urban areas, as per a recent study. Researchers suggest that nitrogenating concrete could lead to a reduction in NOx emissions by 3.4–6.9 megatonnes (Mt), equivalent to 6–13% of industry-related emissions in 2021. By 2050, this approach could cut NOx emissions by a total of 131–384 Mt, potentially saving 75–260 years of life lost prematurely due to disability-adjusted life years (DALYs). NOx are reactive air pollutants that contribute to acid rain, ozone layer depletion, and pose significant health risks, particularly respiratory diseases, leading to mortality linked to air pollution. Published today in Nature Cities, an international team of researchers emphasizes that commercializing nitrogenation is likely to offer superior economic and environmental benefits compared to similar processes for carbon dioxide (CO2). Co-author Dr. Yuli Shan from the University of Birmingham noted, “Cities worldwide, especially in the global south, are witnessing extensive urban development, expansion, and modernization, all of which contribute to atmospheric pollution.” “From 1970 to 2018, global NOx emissions nearly doubled from 70 Mt to 120 Mt. It is crucial to address and manage these emissions to improve urban health, support sustainable industrial growth, and ensure environmental well-being,” added the first author, Ms. Ning Zhang from the Leibniz Institute of Ecological Urban & Regional Development. “There is significant potential for concrete to capture NOx. This technology holds promise for rapidly urbanizing regions and emerging industrial areas, offering substantial economic benefits and reducing industrial NOx pollution,” Ms. Zhang further highlighted. The study underscores that China, Europe, and the United States play pivotal roles, possessing significant capabilities to advance in this field. These regions encompass both emerging and established industrial nations that promote circular economies and address atmospheric environmental challenges. The researchers advocate for establishing an emissions trading system akin to the one developed for CO2 to precisely quantify and widely recognize the benefits of NOx sequestration. While concrete nitrogenation offers considerable environmental and economic gains, its practical implementation faces logistical challenges such as transporting large volumes of materials and gases. The experts recommend leveraging existing industrial and commercial concrete carbonation systems to optimize logistics and improve the feasibility of concrete nitrogenation.
