| Agent Name |
Nitrous oxide |
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| CAS Number |
10024-97-2 |
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| Formula |
N2-O |
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| Major Category |
Toxic Gases & Vapors |
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| Synonyms |
Dinitrogen monoxide; Hyponitrous acid anhydride; Laughing gas; [NIOSH] |
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| Category |
Simple Asphyxiants |
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| Description |
Colorless gas with a slightly sweet odor. [inhalation anesthetic] [Note: Shipped as a liquefied compressed gas.] [NIOSH] |
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| 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] |
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| Comments |
Nitrous oxide is a simple asphyxiant; it has caused neuropathy when abused for its euphoric effects. The TLV basis is CNS impaiment, 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] |
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| Reference Link |
Volatile Substance Abuse |
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| Exposure Assessment |
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| Skin Designation (ACGIH) |
No |
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| TLV (ACGIH) |
50 ppm |
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| MAK |
100 ppm |
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| Explanatory Notes |
Does not burn; [CHEMINFO] |
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| Adverse Effects |
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| Neurotoxin |
Sensorimotor Neuropathy |
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| Reproductive Toxin |
Yes |
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| Other Poison |
Simple Asphyxiant |
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| Links to Other NLM Databases |
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| Health Studies |
Human Health Effects from Hazardous Substances Data Bank: NITROUS OXIDE
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