What are the risks linked to the use of this gas?

This Monday, April 14, a serious incident occurred in a gym, we air, in the 11th arrondissement of Paris around 6:20 p.m. During a cryotherapy session, which consists in exposing themselves briefly at extremely low temperatures from the release of liquid nitrogen steam to relieve pain and improve recovery after intense physical effort, an employee and a client were seriously injured. More specifically, when the emergency services intervened, they underwent cardiopulmonary arrest, according to a police source contacted by TF1/LCI.

Cryotherapy: an employee, intoxicated following a nitrogen leak, is dead

Among the two people, the employee “From the sports hall born in 1996”lost his life. As for the establishment’s client, “Born in 1991”elle “has been hospitalized and her vital prognosis is engaged. She is between life and death”, According to a police source, interviewed by The Parisian In the evening. Three other people who have provided victims’ care was taken care of in relative emergency. By prevention, 150 adults present in the gym were evacuated.

According to the first elements of the investigation, a nitrogen leak, coming from recovery tanks in cryotherapy, could be responsible for this drama. After The Parisianthis could be linked to plumbing work carried out the same day in the establishment. “A survey in search of the causes of death is open and entrusted to the police station of the 11th arrondissement of Paris, in co-saisine with the labor inspectorate”, said the Paris prosecutor’s office, requested by l’Afp. In detail, “An autopsy and toxicological analyzes have been ordered.”

What are the dangers of nitrogen used in cryotherapy?

Nitrogen is a gas “colorless and odorless”, According to handles. “The main dangers linked to nitrogen are frostbite and asphyxiation (consequence of hypoxia). If the first is well known due to the extremely low temperature of nitrogen in the liquid state (-196 ° C), the second is much less so, although it can be fatal. The hypoxic risk of nitrogen is linked to the capacity of liquid nitrogen to generate quickly, by evaporation, an important volume of nitrogen gaseous, thus causing a reduction in the oxygen level of air by displacement and dilution of oxygen. “

According to the health authority, several collective protections and a development of the premises must be implemented. “It is notably recommended to ensure that a minimum rate of 19 % of oxygen is recommended to prevent the appearance of effects related to hypoxia.” Another recommendation: do not use underground premises either for storage or for work with liquid nitrogen. “The premises must be equipped, in particular, with detection and measurement devices of the oxygen level, an alarm system and a mechanical ventilation adapted to two speeds.” In the event of nitrogen handling, it is strongly advised to wear gloves (preferably long cuff), glasses or protective visor, closed shoes and an apron in non-woven matters.