Nitrogen and nitrogen oxides

Evaporation of liquid nitrogen from the eye or skin may cause cold burns. It may displace oxygen, causing hypoxic asphyxia. Of the nitrogen oxides, NO ₂ is most toxic. Following exposure, effects in the peripheral airways and alveoli can be expected; clinical symptoms are usually absent during the first hours after exposure. Consequently, physical examination of the patient immediately after exposure may not reveal the full clinical severity of the intoxication. After several hours, depending on the concentration and the duration of exposure, acute lung injury (ALI) or adult respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) may become clinically manifest. © 2011 Published by Elsevier Ltd.