Nitrogen is present in the atmosphere and it constitutes 78.08% of total air. Moreover, the use of nitrogen is growing very rapidly these days.
Use of nitrogen in medicine is helpful as it can be used as diluent of oxygen in order to avoid oxygen toxicity. It is stored in either compressed air or in liquid form.
It has weak anesthetic effect in hyperbaric conditions. It is not soluble but may be dissolved in blood and body tissues at increased pressure. On decomposition it can be released in the form of bubbles and results in decomposition sickness syndrome. It is treated with hyperbaric oxygenation.