A Nitrous Oxide Analyzer Can Help Ensure Compliance and Safety
Nitrous oxide (N2O) is an anesthetic gas used in dentistry and surgery. It is also a greenhouse gas, with an atmospheric lifetime of about 20 years and a warming potential almost a thousand times greater than carbon dioxide (CO2). It is important to monitor nitrous oxide in medical, dental and veterinary environments to ensure worker safety, especially as exposure to high concentrations can cause DNA damage, suppress the immune system and inhibit reproduction. A nitrous oxide analyzer can provide part-per-million measurements of N2O in ambient air to help ensure compliance and safety.
Gas chromatography (GC) is the most commonly used analytical technique for measuring N2O. It involves injecting the sample into a column where the gas is separated into its component parts by physical properties such as vapor pressure, density and molecular weight. This method is highly accurate but can be difficult to set up in the field because of the need for an external vacuum pump and a nitrogen generator. A portable nitrous oxide analyzer can eliminate these issues and offer an easy to use, cost-effective alternative to GC – delivering real-time N2O data for continuous emissions monitoring systems in the field.
Optical techniques such as infrared (IR) spectroscopy are another viable option for N2O monitoring. IR spectroscopy is a versatile analytical tool that allows for the measurement of gases over a broad wavelength range. However, water vapor and CO2 can absorb at the N2O absorption spectrum, which lowers the sensitivity of this approach. To address this issue, researchers have developed solutions such as removing the interference molecules from the sample before analysis or by collecting background and reference spectra to subtract the N2O absorption spectra [69].
Electrochemical amperometric sensors are another promising option for N2O measurement. They measure the current generated by a reduction reaction in the presence of N2O to give a quantitative result. Several research groups have investigated the use of these sensors in environmental applications, including for monitoring soil gases and wastewater-treatment plants, as well as thawing permafrost. However, they remain a cost-prohibitive technology for many industrial applications where real-time N2O measurement is needed.
A portable N2O analyzer can be an invaluable tool for any business or organization that is concerned about nitrous oxide levels in the workplace or in the atmosphere. Whether you need to comply with regulations, keep workers safe or maintain quality control, a nitrous oxide detector can provide precise ppm readings for a variety of industries and applications. To learn more about a handheld N2O analyzer or a comprehensive continuous emissions monitoring system that can also detect CO2, H2O, NO, CH4, O3, COV and other harmful gases, contact us today! We can assist you in finding a solution that is right for your application.