Air pollution

Nitrous oxide

Properties of nitrous oxide is described below

PHYSICAL STATE; APPEARANCE:
COLOURLESS COMPRESSED LIQUEFIED GAS , WITH CHARACTERISTIC ODOUR.

PHYSICAL DANGERS:
The gas is heavier than air and may accumulate in low ceiling spaces causing deficiency of oxygen.

CHEMICAL DANGERS:
Reacts violently with sulphurous anhydride, amorphous boron, phosphine, ethers, aluminium, hydrazine, phenyl-lithium and tungsten carbide causing fire and explosion hazard. The gas is a strong oxidant above 300°C and may form explosive mixtures with ammonia, carbon monoxide, hydrogen sulphide, oil, grease and fuels.

OCCUPATIONAL EXPOSURE LIMITS:
TLV: 50 ppm as TWA; A4; (ACGIH 2003).
MAC: 100 ppm, 180 mg/m³; (DFG 2002).
OSHA PEL: none
NIOSH REL: TWA 25 ppm (46 mg/m³) (TWA over the time exposed) *Note: REL for exposure to waste anesthetic gas.
NIOSH IDLH: No data

ROUTES OF EXPOSURE:
The substance can be absorbed into the body by inhalation.

INHALATION RISK:
A harmful concentration of this gas in the air will be reached very quickly on loss of containment.

EFFECTS OF SHORT-TERM EXPOSURE:
The liquid may cause frostbite. The substance may cause effects on the central nervous system , resulting in lowering of consciousness .

EFFECTS OF LONG-TERM OR REPEATED EXPOSURE:
The substance may have effects on the bone marrow and the peripheral nervous system . May cause reproductive toxicity in humans.

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For more information see website:
http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/ipcsneng/neng0067.html