What is a NOXIOUS gas classified as due to its effects?

A NOXIOUS gas is classified as an asphyxiant due to its effects on the body, particularly by displacing or interfering with oxygen in the air we breathe. Noxious gases can cause harm through their toxic properties, which may lead to physical harm or may disrupt the normal function of the human respiratory system. Asphyiants in general can limit the amount of oxygen available to the body, resulting in a suffocation risk, and NOXIOUS gases often exhibit this characteristic.

While other classifications like flammable, corrosive, or greenhouse gases carry their own implications, the primary concern with NOXIOUS gases in a mining or industrial context typically relates to their ability to displace oxygen or influence the respiratory system negatively, which aligns with the definition of asphyxiants.