Nitrous oxide

Synonyms

Dinitrogen monoxide; Hyponitrous acid anhydride; Laughing gas; [NIOSH]

Category

Other Toxic Gases & Vapors

Description

Colorless gas with a slightly sweet odor. [inhalation anesthetic] [Note: Shipped as a liquefied compressed gas.] [NIOSH]

Sources/Uses

Nitrous oxide has been used as an anesthetic since 1844. It has also been used as a foaming agent for whipped cream, as an oxidant in organic chemical production and as a component of rocket fuel. Occupational exposures have been measured in the 400 to 3000 ppm range without anesthetic waste gas scavenging and 50 ppm with waste gas scavenging. [ACGIH]

Comments

Nitrous oxide is a simple asphyxiant; it has caused neuropathy when abused for its euphoric effects. The TLV basis is CNS impairment, hematologic effect, and embryo/fetal damage. Rats exposed for 2 or more days to 80% NO and 20% O2 have altered hematopoiesis. At 1000 ppm, NO inactivates vitamin B12. [ACGIH] Possible frostbite from contact with liquid; [NIOSH] In substance abuse cases with peripheral neuropathy, nitrous oxide was administered at 300,000 to 800,000 ppm (30-80%) for 30-60 minutes per day, 2-7 days a week for 3 months to several years. [CHEMINFO]

Reference Link #1

Biomedical References

Insufficient data

50 ppm

100 ppm

Explanatory Notes

Does not burn; [CHEMINFO]

Sensorimotor

Yes

Not Classifiable

Other Poison

Simple Asphyxiant

Diseases

Occupational diseases associated with exposure to this agent:

• Asphyxiation, simple
• Infertility, female
• Spontaneous abortions