[Nitrous oxide not unsafe but used less often]

Abstract

In the Netherlands and elsewhere there is ongoing debate about the potential of nitrous oxide (used as a medical gas for more than 150 years), to cause spontaneous abortion, malignancies and renal and hepatic disease in health-care workers. Although nitrous oxide has been shown to have teratogenic properties in rodents, there is no evidence for such an effect in humans. The number of indications for the application of nitrous oxide in the Netherlands are diminishing. Therefore it is proposed to use nitrous oxide on strict indication only, and to strictly adhere to policies to reduce exposure to the drug for health-care workers.