Nitrogen

Type: Major Element
Periodic Element: (N)
RDA: Not Established.
Importance- To Body:
A component of proteins and nucleic acids (genetic materiel).
Distribution- In Body:
3.2 Approx % Body Mass
Exists in nearly all bodily tissues; the bloodstream, nerves, joints, and other sensitive and vital areas. Nitrogen dissolves in the blood and body fats.
Excess Effects:
nitrogen is inherently non-toxic, however when released into an enclosed space it can displace oxygen therefore presenting an asphyxiation hazard. This may happen with few warning symptoms, since the human carotid body is a relatively poor and slow low-oxygen (hypoxia) sensing system.
When inhaled at high partial pressures (more than about 4 bar, encountered at depths below about 30 m in scuba diving), nitrogen is an anesthetic agent, causing nitrogen narcosis, a temporary state of mental impairment similar to nitrous oxide intoxication.
Deficiency Effects:
Not listed
Sources:
Ambient Air
Sources Environmental/Geographic:
Nitrogen is the most common pure element in the earth, making up 78.1% of the entire volume of the atmosphere.
The only important nitrogen minerals are nitre (potassium nitrate, saltpetre) and sodanitre (sodium nitrate, Chilean saltpetre). However, these have not been an important source of nitrates since the 1920s, when the industrial synthesis of ammonia and nitric acid became common.
Supplemental information: