A -150 C freezer, also
known as a nitrogen freezer, is used in cryo preservation. While you might
think of Ted Williams being frozen on ice for a future in which he can be
brought back to life, the cryo preservation method can be used to keep any type
of cell alive in a suspended state. Learn how nitrogen freezers are used and
how PureAire can keep your facility safe.
Who Uses Nitrogen Freezers?
Nitrogen freezers use
liquid nitrogen to freeze biological material in extremely cold temperatures.
While they are known as -150 C freezers, they actually run closer to -200 C.
When living cells are stored at such low temperatures, they go to sleep rather
than die. Decades or even centuries later, the frozen cells can be safely
thawed with no loss of life or degradation of DNA due to their long
storage.
Compared with other
methods of cryo preserving materials, a liquid nitrogen freezer offers the most
stable freezing environment using ultra-low temperatures. An electric freezer
is incapable of maintaining temperatures below -135 C.
Environmental
researchers are interested in cryo preservation to preserve the last stock of
endangered species. Rather than lose, say, the critically endangered black
rhino species, the rhino's cells can be cryogenically frozen for the future.
Coral reefs are also considered desirable candidates for cryo preservation due
to their high rates of die-off from ocean acidity.
Animal breeders are
interested in cryo preservation to keep a desired bloodline alive, and
fertility specialists see the potential for helping women delay childbirth
through cryogenic preservation of fertilized embryos or eggs.
The cryo preservation
industry is not without its challenges. To ensure the viability of the frozen
material, the cells must be slowly brought to the -150 C temperature and thawed
in the same manner. If the temperature drops too quickly per minute, the cell
membrane could rupture, causing cell death.
Any time liquid
nitrogen is used, there is a risk of oxygen displacement should the nitrogen
storage tank leak or spill. Nitrogen gas has no color or odor, so employees
would not notice that a leak had occurred.
As nitrogen leaks into
the atmosphere, it displaces oxygen. Levels can fall so low that the ambient
air will not have enough oxygen for safe respiration. In an oxygen deficient
environment, workers can experience respiratory distress, cognitive
deficiencies, and death via asphyxiation simply by taking a few breaths in an
oxygen deficient environment.
Any facility that
relies on nitrogen freezers to preserve biological material must take
safeguards to detect and mitigate nitrogen leaks. One simple, effective
solution is an oxygen monitor, such as that offered by PureAire.
How PureAire Can Help
An oxygen monitor
measures the levels of oxygen in the room. As long as there is enough oxygen,
the monitor remains silent yet alert. If a spill occurs and levels fall close
to the OSHA threshold, the alarm flashes a light and sounds an alarm to notify
all personnel there is a leak. Employees can then leave the room before they
are harmed by the oxygen deficient air.
PureAire's oxygen
monitor features a robust zirconium sensor, which can take accurate reading
without maintenance for 10 or more years. The monitor provides steady readings
when barometric pressure changes or thunderstorms occur. The O2 monitor
functions accurately in temperature extremes, and is suitable for use in
cryogenic facilities and freezers.
If you're interested
in a reliable oxygen monitor that's accurate, cost-effective, and fuss-free,
you may want to partner with PureAire. Learn more at www.pureairemonitoring.com.
