Smith’s execution by “nitrogen hypoxia” took around 22 minutes, according to media witnesses, who were led into a viewing room at the William C Holman correctional facility in Atmore shortly before 8 pm local time.
Smith’s execution by “nitrogen hypoxia” took around 22 minutes, according to media witnesses, who were led into a viewing room at the William C Holman correctional facility in Atmore shortly before 8 pm local time.
This isn’t a poisonous gas we’re talking about. Air is 78% nitrogen… A leak is of little concern unless it’s somehow so large that it’s displacing oxygen enough to cause oxygen deprivation.
A blade for throat-slitting feels like it’d be a larger danger to those administering, never mind the clean-up/biohazard concerns.
Apparently it’s deadly enough to kill at least 1 guy. You also can’t see it.
I would say the risk of a gas spreading and affecting more than an intended target is greater than the risk someone will accidentally stab themselves in the head.
You raise a good point about fluids, but I think the danger from that can be mitigated with protective clothing to a greater degree than the next safest (for the administrator) option of a bullet can have its inherent danger of exploding at or near the wrong place be mitigated.