Gases that displace or dilute the amount of oxygen in the air, creating an oxygen-deficient atmosphere, are known as?

Gases that displace or dilute oxygen in the air, leading to an oxygen-deficient atmosphere, are classified as simple asphyxiants. These gases do not cause harm through any toxicological mechanism; rather, they reduce the availability of oxygen necessary for breathing and normal physiological function. This is a critical distinction because simple asphyxiants can create life-threatening situations by causing suffocation, particularly in confined spaces where the volume of air can become significantly reduced.

In contrast, simple intoxicants primarily act by causing impairment through their psychoactive effects. Chronic agents are substances that cause health issues after prolonged or repeated exposure, and reactive gases involve those that can initiate chemical reactions with other materials, potentially leading to hazards in other forms. None of these categories specifically address the mechanism of displacing oxygen from the air, which is the defining characteristic of simple asphyxiants.