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Introduction
Nitrogen makes up 78% of the air we breath; because of this it is often assumed that nitrogen is not hazardous. However, nitrogen is safe to breath only if it is mixed with an appropriate amount of oxygen. dditiona! nitrogen "!ower o#$gen% cannot be detected b$ the sense of sme!!.
Introduction
Nitrogen is used commercia!!$ as an inerting agent to keep materia! free of contaminants "inc!uding o#$gen% that ma$ corrode e&uipment, present a fire hazard, or be to#ic. !ower o#$gen concentration "e.g., caused b$ an increased amount of nitrogen% can have a range of effects on the human bod$ and can be fata! if if fa!!s be!ow '(%
$ossi%le &esults
Normal Some unnoticea%le adverse physiological effects Increased pulse and %reathing rate- impaired thin.ing and attention- reduced coordination A%normal fatigue upon exertion- emotional upset- faulty coordination- poor 0udgment 2ery poor 0udgment and coordination- impaired respiration that may cause permanent heart damage- nausea- and vomiting Ina%ility to move- loss of consciousness- convulsions- death
3+(
Statistics on Incidents
/-, reviewed cases of nitrogen asph$#iation that occurred in the 2- between '331 and 1((1 and determined the fo!!owing. 84 incidents of nitrogen asph$#iation resu!ted in 8( deaths and 4( in5uries. 6he ma5orit$ of incidents occurred in manufacturing and industria! settings, but severa! incidents occurred in other settings inc!uding !aboratories and medica! faci!ities.
5% 13%
6% 62%
Trenches, manhole covers (not identified) Maintenance activities (not necessarily at manufacturing sites)
14%
Laboratories
<ore Information
A safety %ulletin and +8page %rochure on the hazards of nitrogen asphyxiation- as 6ell as this presentation- are availa%le from the US Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board) 666)cs%)gov !'('#',+8B,((