Since the discovery of nitrogen by Daniel Rutherford in 1772, gases have continued to increase in usage in both the medical and industrial fields; so much so that today, gases are an integral part in many functions of both sectors. Gases used for industrial purposes are not the same as those used in the medical field, so it is imperative that one knows which type of gas is the correct one for the particular situation.

Some common industrial gases include nitrogen, oxygen, carbon dioxide, hydrogen, propane and helium. Though some gases have similar applications, none are interchangeable; for example, though propane and argon can both be used in welding, they cannot be used for the same purpose (propane is for cutting, argon is for melting). And, though oxygen does have industrial uses, industrial grade oxygen is not the same as medical grade oxygen and must not be used for the same purposes.

Probably the most common type of medical gas is oxygen, which is used every minute of every hour of every day by someone in a hospital somewhere. Nitrous oxide or laughing gas, a compound formed of nitrogen and oxygen, is another type of medical gas; though because of the limited anaesthetic effect this gas provides, use is more common in the dental field.

The importance of knowing the about the types of gases used in your particular industry cannot be understated. Industrial and medical gases, though they do have many advantages, can be very dangerous if used incorrectly.