Liquid nitrogen boils at -321 =B0F, normal skin temperature is around 90 =B0F, thats over 400 =B0F difference. A splash of LN2 is not actually going to touch the skin because of the Leidenfrost effect, a phenomenon in which a liquid, in near contact with a mass significantly hotter than the liquid's boiling point, produces an insulating vapor layer. Your likely to be harmed from LN2 only if your skin is continuously exposed. See these demonstrations: Hand vs. Liquid Nitrogen and the Leidenfrost Effect http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gjsMV1MglA4 Mr Robinson Drinks Liquid Nitrogen! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UHjC9G03bdE&NR=1 mrhelix drunks liquid nitrogen http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-FkPbi4-ZTM Chuck Cooper Environmental Health and Safety Portland State University 503-725-4312 cooperc**At_Symbol_Here**pdx.edu On Mar 11, 2010, at 9:44 AM, Ralph Stuart wrote: > A lab tech writes: > Do you have a recommendation for an appropriate face shield that > people should be using when working with LN2? I've been searching > the web and it's hard to find a specific recommendation for a face > shield to be worn with cryogenics. I don't see any guidelines on > OSHA that point to any particulars and nothing on the Cryogenic > Society of America's site either. I would appreciate your assistance. > > Does anyone have any favorites they'd like to recommend? > > - Ralph > > Ralph Stuart, CIH > Environmental Safety Manager > University of Vermont > Environmental Safety Facility > 667 Spear St. Burlington, VT 05405 > > rstuart**At_Symbol_Here**uvm.edu > fax: (802)656-5407 >
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