Argon

International Numbering System (INS) for Food Additives: 938

Food additives Europe numbers: E938 

Argon has several uses in the medical field. Here's a breakdown of its key applications:

Different Forms, Different Uses:

• Liquid Argon: In cryosurgery, extremely cold liquid argon is used to freeze and destroy unwanted tissue, such as cancerous cells [1, 2].
• Argon Plasma Coagulation (APC): This minimally invasive technique utilizes high-frequency argon plasma to seal bleeding vessels and unwanted tissue during surgery [1, 3].
• Blue Argon Lasers: These lasers emit a specific wavelength of light useful for various surgical procedures like welding arteries, removing tumors, and correcting eye defects [1].

Other Potential Uses:

• Breathing Gas: Argon is being investigated as a replacement for nitrogen in breathing mixes for divers (known as Argox) to potentially speed up nitrogen elimination from the blood during decompression [1].

General Properties of Argon in Medical Use:

• Inert Gas: Being an inert gas, argon doesn't react with other substances, making it valuable for medical applications where minimizing tissue damage is crucial [2, 3].
• Safety Considerations: While generally safe, argon use requires proper medical training and equipment handling to avoid potential risks like gas embolism (air bubbles in the bloodstream) which can be serious [1, 3].