Neon is a chemical element that glows with a distinctive red-orange color when electricity flows through it. It’s the primary ingredient in neon signs and has many other applications as well, including use as a cold cathode fluorescent lamp (CCFL) for display screens.
Like other noble gases, it is odourless and colourless in its natural state. It’s also extremely inert, meaning it doesn’t react with other elements or compounds. It’s the eighth member of the noble gas group, which includes helium, argon, krypton, xenon and radon. The first synthetic noble gas, oganesson, was added to the group in 2016, bringing it up to seven members.
It’s relatively rare on Earth, making up only about 1 part in 65,000 of the atmosphere, according to Chemicool. It was discovered in 1898 by two British chemists, William Ramsay and Morris Travers, who froze an air sample, evaporated it and collected the gas that formed. When they ran an alternating current through the gas, it displayed a glowing crimson colour that earned it its name, which is derived from the Greek word neos for new.
Neon is a safe inert gas with no known ecological damage, but it can be dangerous if inhaled at high concentrations. At this level, it acts as a simple asphyxiant, displacing oxygen in the lungs and potentially leading to death. Exposure symptoms include rapid respiration, a general feeling of unease and weakness, and eventually loss of consciousness. The risk of suffocation can be greatly reduced by ensuring that any neon sign or other device is kept away from the body at all times.
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