Asphyxiant

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Asphyxiant

Asphyxiant (pronunciation: as·phyx·i·ant /əˈsfiksēənt/) is a substance that can cause asphyxia, a condition arising when the body is deprived of oxygen, potentially leading to unconsciousness or death.

Etymology

The term "asphyxiant" is derived from the Greek word "asphyxia," which means "stopping of the pulse." It is combined with the suffix "-ant," which is used in English to form nouns denoting substances that bring about a particular effect.

Types of Asphyxiants

Asphyxiants can be classified into two main categories: simple asphyxiants and chemical asphyxiants.

  • Simple asphyxiants are gases that displace or dilute oxygen in the air, making it unavailable for breathing. Examples include nitrogen, helium, methane, and carbon dioxide.
  • Chemical asphyxiants are gases that prevent the body from using the oxygen that is breathed in. Examples include carbon monoxide and cyanide.

Related Terms

  • Hypoxia - A condition in which the body or a region of the body is deprived of adequate oxygen supply at the tissue level.
  • Anoxia - A condition characterized by an absence of oxygen supply to an organ or a tissue.
  • Hypercapnia - A condition where there is too much carbon dioxide (CO2) in the blood.
  • Hypocapnia - A state of reduced carbon dioxide in the blood.

See Also

External links

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