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Why does nitrogen in the atmosphere not hurt humans?

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Answer:

Being odorless, colorless, tasteless, and nonirritating, nitrogen has no warning properties. Humans possess no senses that can detect the presence of nitrogen. Although nitrogen is nontoxic and inert, it can act as a simple asphyxiation by displacing oxygen in air to levels below that required to support life.

Step-by-step explanation:

User Peter Flanagan
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It's not about amount as much as time. Nitrogen doesn't harm you directly at all. The air we breathe is already 78% nitrogen. The problem is that nitrogen displaces oxygen. More nitrogen in the air means you're not getting enough oxygen to function.
User Eystein
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