Hazard Symbols:Supports combustion, can form explosive mixture with air. Narcotic in high concentration. TLV: 50 ppm; not classifiable as a human carcinogen.
Properties:Colorless nonflammable gas, liquid, or cubic crystals; slt sweet odor. Mp: −90.8°, bp: −88.49°, d: 1.977 g/L (liquid 1.226 @ −89°). Sltly sol in H2O; sol in Et2O; freely sol in CHCl3 and EtOH.
Safety:Moderately toxic by inhalation. Human systemic effects by inhalation: general anesthetic, decreased pulse rate without blood pressure fall, and body temperature decrease. An experimental teratogen. Experimental reproductive effects. Mutation data reported. An asphyxiant. Does not burn but is flammable by chemical reaction and supports combustion. Moderate explosion hazard; it can form an explosive mixture with air. Violent reaction with Al, B, hydrazine, LiH, LiC6H5, PH3, Na, tungsten carbide. Also self-explodes at high temperatures.
Analytical Methods:
For occupational chemical analysis use NIOSH: Nitrous Oxide (Field-Readable), 6600.