| By :
William Gabriel
Nitrous oxide, more commonly known as laughing gas, is a type of colorless and a non-flammable gas. Nitrogen oxide can be found in the atmosphere, water, and soil. Transportation vehicles, generators, and other manufacturing processes can produce significant discharges of nitrous oxide. The gas itself is a controversial topic among environmentalists. It is one of the greenhouse gases which are considered to contribute to global warming. It is also a harmful gas which depletes the ozone layer. However, despite these side effects, nitrous oxide remains a very important gaseous substance. Aside from being an important component of successful food production, it has been popular in the market for different human endeavors. Many companies currently manufacture nitrous oxide cartridges for personal use. The gas is also contained in larger gas cylinders for bulk consumers. Why has nitrous oxide become such a crucial part of our lives? First, nitrous oxide cartridges are popular as propellant of aerosol products. They are government-approved food additives that are safe for making cooking sprays and creams with excellent texture. It is also rapidly becoming a common alternative to carbon dioxide cartridges when it comes to cooling meat and food products. Second, the nitrous oxide cartridges also act as a preservative. It can be used as an inert gas to inhibit bacterial growth. Hence, it may keep meat and other agricultural products from perishing rapidly. Third, nitrous oxide in gas cylinders is also used as a general anesthesia in medical fields including dentistry. In early 1800s, it has reformed surgical and dental practices as the main anesthetic drug. Nowadays, nitrous oxide is not used alone. Nitrous oxide makes it possible to use decreased amounts of other drugs during procedures, thus lowering side effects. Fourth, nitrous oxide acts as oxidizer in rocket motors and motor racing. In this application, it supplies more oxygen in higher temperatures, so that more fuel can be burned, and more power can be produced. Fifth, nitrous oxide is used in aircrafts to allow its internal combustion engine to burn more fuel for acceleration. Sixth, nitrous oxide can also be replaced on paintball containers instead of CO2 cartridges. To ensure smoother paintball game play, nitrous oxide is a much better substitute because the gas is much more resistant to the effects of external temperature. The speed of fire of paintball guns does not change since nitrogen does not have to change from liquid to gaseous state. Humans are resilient and adaptable to change. We have learned to understand the environment and we have discovered its dangers and its gifts. In the endless pursuit of improving the quality of human life we have managed to utilize a dangerous gas like nitrogen to our advantage. Curiosity, creativity, ingenuity and resourcefulness are traits inherent in all of us. However as guardians of this earth we must know the possible consequences of even our littlest actions. We must be responsible and careful in the use of nitrogen. We must employ safety measures and be sufficiently aware of the negative effects of nitrogen so we may work to minimize the destructive consequences of our actions.
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