Burning hydrogen produces more oxides of nitrogen (6.6 × 10⁻⁴ g) than natural gas (4.9 × 10⁻⁴ g). Oxides of nitrogen are pollutants that can cause acid rain or respiratory problems.
While hydrogen combustion has the major benefit of not producing CO₂, it is not without environmental drawbacks.
- Looking at the row for "Mass of oxides of nitrogen produced", burning 1 dm³ of hydrogen produces 6.6 × 10⁻⁴ g, whereas natural gas produces 4.9 × 10⁻⁴ g.
- This means that, per volume of fuel, hydrogen combustion produces more NOx than natural gas combustion. This is often because hydrogen can burn at a higher temperature, which favours the reaction between nitrogen and oxygen from the air.
- Oxides of nitrogen are harmful pollutants. They can dissolve in water droplets in the atmosphere to form nitric acid, which then falls as acid rain. Acid rain damages buildings, harms aquatic life by acidifying lakes, and can kill trees. NOx can also contribute to the formation of smog and cause respiratory problems in humans.