Death by Nitrogen: Alabama Execution

Context (IE): Alabama carried out the first-ever execution using nitrogen gas in the United States.

The Method

Inmates are forced to inhale the pure nitrogen using an Industrial level air respirator.
This deprives the body of oxygen needed to maintain bodily functions and ultimately causes death.
Normally, we inhale nitrogen as part of atmospheric air (78%) along with Oxygen.
Nitrogen itself is not toxic, but asphyxiation due to the absence of Oxygen leads to death.

It was claimed to be a humane, momentarily, and painless death.
It was expected to cause unconsciousness within seconds and death within minutes.
Agonal breath (struggle to breathe) is an involuntary reflexive action, as against said painful struggle.

Took 22 minutes against claims of seconds.
No immediate unconsciousness led to violent shaking, deep breaths, eyes rolling back and struggles.
Opposers see it as the “most inhumane” way of death.
Little research and the “guinea pig” treatment of the convict raised severe ethical and legal questions.

Supporters lobby on the argument of retribution, justice for victims and deterrence for heinous crimes.
Opponents prefer reformation, arguing the absence of data regarding deterrence.

The International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) allows the death penalty but suggests abolition in its Second Optional Protocol to ICCPR (1989).
UN Economic and Social Council-Safeguarding Rights (1984): It safeguards the rights of convicts facing the death penalty.
Progressive Restriction (2007-2018) by UN General Assembly Resolutions: It requests members to limit the offences eligible for the death penalty and abide by international standards.

Colourless, odourless, tasteless
Usage: Ammonia manufacturing, Fertilizer industry, Refrigeration, cryo-preservation (Liquid Nitrogen), Nitric acid for explosives.
Nitrogen constitutes 78 per cent of Earth’s atmosphere and is a constituent of all living tissues, as well as DNA.
Nitrogen emission: Industrial processes, agriculture affluents.
Nitrogen Oxide, a poisonous, reactive Nitrogen compound, is emitted by automobiles. It is also an indirect greenhouse gas, promoting photochemical reactions.