Nitrous Oxide or N2O is also known as ‘laughing gas’ due to its euphoric effect when inhaled. It is commonly used as an anaesthetic or analgesic gas in surgery and dentistry. N2O is an oxide of Nitrogen and is also used as an oxidiser in rockets and to increase power output when injected into internal combustion engines. At high temperatures N2O is a powerful oxidiser similar to molecular Oxygen. The gases euphoric effect has also led to its recreational use in some quarters. Following this, it is also difficult to monitor for N2O. However we have a the perfect solution for your nitrous oxide detector.

• The World Health Organisation list Nitrous Oxide on its list of essential medicines 
• Nitrous Oxide is 1.5 times heavier than air

N2O As a Pollutant:

Nitrous Oxide in combination with Oxygen reacts to Nitric Oxide (NO) which in turn reacts with Ozone, it is one of the main naturally occurring regulators of Stratospheric Ozone. Over a 100 year period it is up to 310 times the global warming impact of Carbon Dioxide (CO2). This makes it a major air pollutant and greenhouse gas.

Nitrous Oxide is also approved as a food additive (E942). It’s most common use in the food industry is as a propellant in whipped cream, fat sprays and packaging for snacks such as crisps. In food packaging applications N2O inhibits bacterial growth.

Health Effects:

The major safety hazards of Nitrous Oxide come from the fact that it is a compressed liquefied gas, an asphyxiation risk, and a dissociative anaesthetic.

Exposure to N2O causes short-term decreases in the following:

• mental performance
• audiovisual ability
• manual dexterity. 

Abusing the gas  can lead to oxygen deprivation resulting in loss of blood pressure, fainting and even heart attacks.

Testimonial From BOC, in regards to a project we completed for N2O Gas Detection Monitoring.

Long-term exposure can cause vitamin B12 deficiency, numbness, reproductive side effects (in pregnant females). The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (USA)recommends that workers’ exposure to N2O should be controlled during the administration of anaesthetic gas in medical, dental, and veterinary operators. The UK sets the long term exposure limit (8hrs) at 100ppm.

Since Nitrous Oxide (N2O) is a difficult gas in itself to monitor for, here at IGD we have come up with an innovative approach to be able to get constant reliable reading. Our ground breaking 2-Wire Addressable Sampler is the perfect solution to detect and monitor for N2O. The Sampler only has 1 channel allowing for continuous monitoring, plus as a unique feature where the sampler will automatically zero itself at prescribed times. This makes for reliable readings/monitoring of N2O, making it the perfect nitrous oxide detector. Coupled with our 2-Wire Technology, you have a fully networked, addressable detector, controlled via our Apps, and only utilising two core cables for power and communication.

Pictured: Our 750S Aspirated (sampler) addressable gas detector. The perfect solution for monitoring Nitrous Oxide (N2O).

This saves you up to 70-80% on installation costs compared to current basic addressable and legacy analogue systems. Giving you a future proof and intelligent gas detection system at the fraction of the cost and reduced maintenance compared to the current industry standard. Get in touch today to discuss your nitrous oxide detector requirements.

Clients & Applications We Have Supplied N2O Gas Detection to:

• Coventry University
• BOC UK/ Linde
• Manchester University
• Semiconductor chips
• Dental practices and hospital wards

To learn more about how IGD ground breaking Samplers can help with your N2O monitoring. Or give us a quick call, to discuss how IGD’s ground breaking systems can help you.