Abuse of Nitrous Oxide

Rosenberg, Henry; Orkin, Fredrick K.; Springstead, James

doi:10.1213/00000539-197903000-00009

Cited by 50 publications

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“…While NO has accepted clinical utility, professionals who have ready access to the substance (e.g. dentists, medical students, and hospital staff) are at elevated risk for NO misuse, abuse, and dependence (Blanton 2006; Rosenberg, Orkin & Springstead 1979; Seidberg & Sullivan 2004). …”

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confidence: 99%

Nitrous Oxide Inhalation Among Adolescents: Prevalence, Correlates, and Co-Occurrence with Volatile Solvent Inhalation

Garland

Howard

Perron

2009

Journal of Psychoactive Drugs

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Few studies have examined the prevalence of nitrous oxide (NO) inhalation or co-occurrence of NO and volatile solvent (VS) use in adolescents. Study aims were to (1) describe the independent and conjoint prevalence of NO and VS use in incarcerated youth, (2) compare adolescent users of both NO and VS inhalants (NO+VS) to users of NO-only, VS-only, and nonusers of NO and VS (NO/VS nonusers) with regard to demographic, psychological, and behavioral characteristics, and (3) conduct logistic regression analyses identifying correlates of NO use. Residents (N = 723) of Missouri Division of Youth Services were assessed with standardized psychosocial measures. Participants averaged 15.5 (SD = 1.2) years of age, were ethnically diverse and predominantly male. Lifetime prevalence of NO use was 15.8%. NO+VS users evidenced greater impairments compared to NO+VS nonusers. VS-only users evidenced impairments that were similar in kind but at lower prevalences compared to those displayed by NO+VS users, whereas NO-only youth had profiles that were similar to those of NO/VS nonusers. Psychiatric disorders, polydrug use, and temperamental fearlessness were correlates of NO use. NO+VS users were at high risk for behavioral and emotional problems. Screening and interventions for NO and VS inhalant use should be implemented in juvenile justice facilities.

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confidence: 99%

Nitrous Oxide Inhalation Among Adolescents: Prevalence, Correlates, and Co-Occurrence with Volatile Solvent Inhalation

Garland

Howard

Perron

2009

Journal of Psychoactive Drugs

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“…The problem of addiction has been reported [6,7]. Associated with this is the development of myeloneuropathy [8,9], but these problems have not been investigated recently.…”

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The use of nitrous oxide in anaesthetic practice: a questionnaire survey

Henderson

Raj²,

Hall

2002

Anaesthesia

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SummaryWhere practicable, exposure to a hazardous substance should be eliminated or adequately controlled. A postal questionnaire survey was sent to 10% of consultants from the Association of Anaesthetists of Great Britain and Ireland, to identify the level of use of nitrous oxide in current anaesthetic practice and identify any change of practice over the last 5 years. Details of anaesthetic practice were requested in three areas: nitrous oxide usage, availability of medical air on anaesthetic machines and the use of total intravenous anaesthesia. Replies were received from 320 consultants (75%). Of these, 49% felt that, over the last 5 years, their use of nitrous oxide had decreased. Twenty per cent of anaesthetists felt that there should be some restriction in availability of nitrous oxide. Where medical air was available, 32% felt that they would use it frequently. A total of 263 (83%) stated that they use total intravenous anaesthesia to some extent. The results showed that, although 49% of consultant anaesthetists had reduced their use of nitrous oxide, this was due to medical considerations rather than concerns over health and pollution issues arising from the use of nitrous oxide. Studies have identified levels of pollution generated from the use of nitrous oxide in clinical procedures [1][2][3][4]. One of the contributing factors may be the lack of provision of medical air on the anaesthetic machine, and therefore the greater use of nitrous oxide as a carrier gas [5].There are potential health risks associated with occupational exposure to nitrous oxide. The problem of addiction has been reported [6,7]. Associated with this is the development of myeloneuropathy [8,9], but these problems have not been investigated recently. A number of epidemiological studies has linked occupational exposure to nitrous oxide with spontaneous abortions, reduced rates of fertility and congenital abnormality. Both supportive and negative studies exist and there is much conflicting information surrounding the existence of the problem [10][11][12][13][14][15][16]. Again there is little recent work.In the UK, the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) Regulations 1999 state that exposure to anaesthetic agents must be reduced to as low as is reasonably practicable. Where practicable, exposure to a hazardous substance should be eliminated or adequately controlled [17]. Nitrous oxide has an occupational exposure limit (OEL) of 100 parts per million (p.p.m.) over an 8-hr time weighted average (TWA). This is based on personal exposure. There are varying exposure limits across the world; in the USA the limit for nitrous oxide is as low as 25 p.p.m. and internationally, there is no agreed standard.With the recent increased provision of medical air on anaesthetic machines and greater interest in the use of total intravenous anaesthesia [18], it was decided to look at the usage of nitrous oxide in anaesthetic practice and try to assess whether its usage has increased, decreased or stayed the same over the past 5 years. The c...

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“…An analysis of the first 125 requests for consultation shows the following reasons given by the physician requesting a consultation: general geriatric evaluation (52), "aftercare" evaluation (35), rehabilitative potential (34), and mental status evaluation (4). Patients seen have been located on the general medical service (68), the orthopedic service (16), the surgical service (14), the medical oncology unit (11), the neurology service (8), the psychiatry service (5), the renal dialysis unit (2), and the spinal cord injury unit (1). Clearly it is impossible to document in a quantitative manner an improve¬ ment in the care given older persons at this university hospital at this time because of this service.…”

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confidence: 99%