Nitrous oxide is a colourless, non-flammable, relatively inert gas at room temperature with a slightly sweet odour.
Hazardous properties
Nitrous oxide, when inhaled at high concentrations (70% by volume) has an anaesthetic effect and an analgesic effect at lower concentrations. Long term exposure has been shown to have neurotoxic effects and has also been attributed to the increased incidence of foetal abnormalities and spontaneous abortion.
It is also a strong absorber of infrared radiation and is therefore a powerful greenhouse gas.
Occurrence/Uses
Nitrous oxide has been used as an anaesthetic since 1844 and is still used clinically for both anaesthesia and analgesia.
It occurs naturally due to the decomposition of organic nitrogen compounds in soil.
It is used as an aerosol spray propellant, particularly for foods such as whipped cream and cooking oils.
