Is nitrous oxide harmful

Answer 1

Nitrous oxide is not "toxic" but as with all gas except oxygen, if the gas displaces the air / oxygwen you wish to breath then it can/will kill through asphyxiation.

When N2O comes out of a cylinder (as opposed to a room temp/atmospheric temp reaction), then the exiting N20 will work as a refrigerant and can easily cool material on contact down to around -70C Additionally, dependong on whether the cyliner is invert or "dipped", it will be liquid N2O at anything from around 400psi (very cold cylinder temp) to in excess of 1000 psi (around 30 C).

So there are hazard with using this product carelessly - from bursting pressure lines, spraying yourself with cryogenic fluid and having it displace the air from the room.

If used carefully however, no, nitrous oxide is not generally considered harmful and is neither toxic nor corrosive. Contrary to popular belief it is also NOT flammable and is only an oxidant under certain conditions (for example the very high temperatures and pressures found inside a car engine).

It is used with oxygen to produce a mixture often called "entenox" or "gas n air" and can be used in different concentrations depending on the intended effect. For example, to ease childbirth pain or, in the case of dentistry, to anesthetize someone.