What is Neon?

Neon is a noble gas that is a minor component of the Earth’s atmosphere. It was discovered by British chemists William Ramsay and Morris Travers in 1898. It is best known for its reddish orange glow when an electrical current passes through it, which creates a phenomenon called fluorescence. This luminescence is used in signs, displays and indicators.

When the electricity passes through a neon tube, it strips the electrons from the neon atoms, which makes them positively charged. This process is called ionization. The free electrons and positive ions combine to form a plasma, which conducts electricity. As the ions move through the gas, they collide with other atoms and molecules and transfer energy to them. The energy boosts the atoms to higher levels, causing them to emit a photon, or particle of light. This gives the neon its characteristic color.

The earliest symptoms of neon toxicity include dizziness and headaches. Other symptoms can be nausea and vomiting. Workers who are exposed to high concentrations of neon may also experience respiratory problems such as irritation and wheezing. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health recommends a maximum exposure limit of 10,000 parts per million (ppm) over an eight-hour workday.