Nitrogen due to its inert, tasteless, and odorless nature facilitates more humane stunning. Anoxia refers to an environment that has a total lack of oxygen. When animals are exposed to the environment they will rapidly lose consciousness without additional stress or pain. Which is why it has been recommended for stunning animals.

Anoxia shall not be confused with hypoxia, which refers to a partial lack of oxygen. An animal exposed to a hypoxic environment will sense the shortage of oxygen and experience difficulties breathing and stress.

Read more about how HEFT utilize high-expansion foam to obtain an anoxic atmosphere here.