This guideline summarizes pertinent information about nitrogen for workers and employers as well as for physicians, industrial hygienists, and other occupational safety and health professionals who may need such information to conduct effective occupational safety and health programs. It is often shipped under refrigeration as a cryogenic liquid. Physical data 1. Nitrogen can combine with oxygen at high temperatures to form oxides of nitrogen and may form ammonia if in contact with hydrogen at elevated temperatures. When heated to a red heat, nitrogen can also form nitrides in contact with lithium, barium, silicon, calcium, or strontium.
Cyanides can form if nitrogen is heated with carbon in the presence of alkalies or barium oxide.
In contact with ozone, nitrogen can oxidize explosively. Flammability Nitrogen is not combustible. Use water spray, fog, or regular foam to fight large fires involving nitrogen. Fires involving nitrogen should be fought upwind from the maximum distance possible. Emergency personnel should stay out of low areas and ventilate closed spaces before entering.