Nitrogen - N2
Find here the essential information on nitrogen (N2): characteristics, effects on health, detection devices & systems (nitrogen gas detector or rather O2 gas detector) and proper respiratory protective equipment (self-contained breathing apparatus or air supplying respirator).
Nitrogen (N2) properties
Because of its properties under its liquid or gaseous state, nitrogen (N2) is used for many applications. It is applied to create inert atmospheres in tanks to protect products inside. In art, it is used as a soft pesticide to remove organisms living in wood. Moreover, as it is non-flammable, it is combined with carbon dioxide for firefighting.
| CAS | LEL / UEL | TWA / STEL | IP | Density / Air | Filter / SCBA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7727-37-9 | - | - | 15.58 eV | 0.97 | SCBA |
Nitrogen effects on health
Contrary to asphyxating gases that cause suffocation replacing oxygen in blood, nitrogen is an anoxic gas. This means that it does not replace oxygen in blood but reduces its quantity, which leads to brain asphyxia and major organs dysfunction. Present at 78% in breathable air, its reduction can absolutely not be detected without proper equipment. That's why this gas is extremely hazardous.
NITROGEN GAS DETECTOR (N2) – OXYGEN DEFICIENCY DETECTION
As nitrogen is colorless and odorless, the organism can absolutely not detect this gas. Only a nitrogen gas detector (oxygen meter) can accurately measure nitrogen concentrations (or rather oxygen rate in the air). Thus an oxygen detection system (or oxygen depletion sensor) performing measurements in percentage of the volume should be selected.
For calibration and gas testing of your fixed or portable gas detectors, nitrogen calibration gas cylinders are available.
N2 RESPIRATORY PROTECTION (NITROGEN)
As nitrogen composes ambient air at 78%, its increase will reduce the oxygen rate. As a consequence, air purifying protective devices are inefficient. Workers evolving in low oxygenated environment should use a self-contained breathing apparatus or an air supplying respirator for long duration applications.