Laboratories are controlled environments where experiments, research and analysis are conducted, these can be within Universities, Corporate Research Facilities, Private Institutions and more. Nitrogen (N2) is a major component in laboratories as it is used to maintain the required conditions for experimentation.

When working in a laboratory, there needs to be a controlled environment, any slight change in oxygen (O2) levels or temperature can have a major impact on the results of the experiment and can invalidate the entire process.

This is where nitrogen comes in, nitrogen is an odourless, inert gas, which means that it has a low reactivity to other substances meaning it can be used to maintain specific conditions and can be used to displace oxygen. This is especially important when there is a confined space within a laboratory as nitrogen can reduce the oxygen % within an area.

For example, if a 20.9% oxygen mix is required for an experiment, nitrogen can be used to make up the missing 79.1% of gas without harming the environmental conditions, additionally, more Nitrogen can be added to this mix, reducing the % of oxygen.

When working with nitrogen it’s important to detect for oxygen and not nitrogen gas, if there is a leak of nitrogen, this will be detected using an oxygen monitor, if the level changes from the standard 20.4%-20.9% range, then there is an issue with a nitrogen leak due to oxygen depletion.

Is Nitrogen Safe To Breathe?

Nitrogen gas is safe to breath as it makes up most of our atmosphere, the important point being that it must be mixed with a safe level of oxygen.

Nitrogen has countless uses within its gas form, it is found within many industries outside of laboratories including industrial manufacturing, transport processes and the food industry, plus when mixed with Hydrogen, it can produce Ammonia, being used to create fertilisers, acids, dyes and explosives.

High concentrations of nitrogen gas can be harmful to health, as previously mentioned it can displace oxygen from ambient air, creating an environment with dangerously low O2 levels, the inhalation of air containing mostly nitrogen can cause physical and mental issues and potentially death if the concentration is high enough.

Dangers of Oxygen depletion

Oxygen depletion can pose significant dangers to people and environments, the risk is commonly found in confined spaces with decreased oxygen levels.

The main and most major problems found with oxygen depletion are asphyxiation and hypoxia, when the body is starved of oxygen it starts to slow down, and people may struggle to breathe, and feel dizzy or confused before eventually falling unconscious. This can put people at risk of brain damage and even death, especially as confusion can result in poor decision making, which can affect other health and safety, and potentially the integrity of experiments.

Lower oxygen levels can also increase the risk of fire and explosions, when flammable gases with low oxygen levels are given an ignition source they may ignite but are unable to burn due to the lack of oxygen, instead, this small amount of combustion will generate heat and pressure which can result in an explosion, this is called incomplete combustion.

How Point Safety can keep you safe

Point Safety is proud to have built strong relationships with suppliers and customers, allowing us to supply a large quantity of gas monitors and detectors on the market from a large number of suppliers, from compact portable monitors to fixed systems in large scale laboratories meaning we have a solution for any and every problem.

We supply monitors to detect for oxygen, including the abundance and depletion of oxygen and everything in between.

To find out more, speak to one of our highly trained operators on 01704 330 315 or email sales@pointsafety.com.