This hand-held industrial gas analyzer is designed for emissions monitoring and maintenance & tuning of combustion processes including boilers, burners, gas & diesel engines, turbines, furnaces, kilns, heaters, and laboratory analysis:-

http://www.e-inst.com/industrial-gas-analyzers/products-E4400

Gas Sensors:

O2, CO, NO, NO2, SO2, CxHy

Also enables efficiency, excess air, & CO2 calculations and the Combustion Booklet PDF linked on the page (very handy) gives a rundown on combustion and industrial gas emissions:-

http://www.e-inst.com/docs/E-Instruments-Combustion-Booklet-2009.pdf

Causes for Concern about Nitrogen Oxides:
When NOx reacts with the oxygen in the air, the result is ground-level ozone. Groundlevel ozone has very negative effects on the respiratory system, such as causing lung cancer, and on agricultural production. NOx also reacts to form nitrate particles, and acid aerosols, which all cause respiratory problems. Nitric acid, formed when NOx reacts with water, can cause acid rain and the deterioration of the quality of water. Acidic gases along with airborne particles cause visibility impairment and lower air quality.

Carbon Monoxide:
CO, is a highly toxic gas that can form during incomplete combustion. CO is colorless, odorless, and extremely harmful to the respiratory system. Overexposure to carbon monoxide can cause headache, dizziness, and sometimes death. It is of the greatest importance to measure CO emissions to maintain safety. During combustion most of the carbon burned reacts to form carbon dioxide, however some of the carbon stays in the intermediary stage as carbon monoxide. Excess levels of CO can be created due to incomplete combustion, poor burner design, bad firing conditions, or a leaky furnace. Motor vehicles, industries, and incomplete combustion are the primary producers of manmade CO.

Sulfur Dioxide:
SO2, makes up about 95% of all of the sulfur oxides that is released during combustion. SO2 is a main cause of acid rain when it reacts with water vapor. The EPA regulates the emissions of sulfur dioxide through its Acid Rain Program. Most sulfur dioxide is produced through the production of electricity and through industrial processes.

Carbon Dioxide:
CO2, is always a byproduct of combustion. The level of carbon dioxide released is dependent upon the type of fuel used and the combustion process. Although naturally produced through respiration and other organic processes, carbon dioxide is a green house gas and thus advances global warming. The primary sources of manmade carbon dioxide are motor vehicles, industries, and electric utilities.

If I had to choose my poison from the above, I think I’d go for the one at the bottom of the list that’s beneficial to my winter comfort level and has the added bonus of increasing crop yields.

ra·pa·cious (r-pshs)
adj.
1. Taking by force; plundering.
2. Greedy; ravenous. See Synonyms at voracious.
3. Subsisting on live prey.

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