Innovative Approaches to Detecting Hydrazoic Acid in the Air

Manufacturing procedures used by specialty chemical firms can raise a number of health and safety concerns. Hydrazoic acid (HN₃) is a colorless, unstable, explosive, and highly effective reducing agent. It is also poisonous. Operators' overexposure to HN₃ can cause hypotension, headaches, ocular, nasal, and pulmonary irritation.

Due to its extreme toxicity, areas surrounding HN₃ processes must be continuously monitored. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) standards require that HN₃ concentrations in ambient air be less than 5 ppm for a 1-hour exposure period and less than 0.1 ppm for an 8-hour period.

Hydrazoic acid molecular structure. Image Credit: ABB

This article outlines how Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) can detect HN₃ concentrations in the air in real-time, ensuring personnel safety.

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This information has been sourced, reviewed and adapted from materials provided by ABB.

For more information on this source, please visit ABB.