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Death from Nitrous Oxide |
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| Authors: | Björn Bäckström MD Bengt Johansson MD PhD Anders Eriksson MD PhD |
| Institution: | 1. Department of Forensic Medicine, National Board of Forensic Medicine, PO Box 7616, SE-907 12 Umeå, Sweden
Section 2. of Forensic Medicine, Department of Community Medicine and Rehabilitation, Umeå University, PO Box 7616, SE-907 12 Umeå, Sweden Additional information and reprint requests: Björn Bäckström, M.D. Department of Forensic Medicine National Board of Forensic Medicine PO Box 7616 SE-907 12 Umeå Sweden E-mail: bjorn.backstrom@rmv.se;3. Department of Public Health and Clinical Medicine, Norrlands Universitetssjukhus SE-901 87, Umeå, Sweden;4. Section 5. of Forensic Medicine, Department of Community Medicine and Rehabilitation, Umeå University, PO Box 7616, SE-907 12 Umeå, Sweden |
| Abstract: | Nitrous oxide is an inflammable gas that gives no smell or taste. It has a history of abuse as long as its clinical use, and deaths, although rare, have been reported. We describe two cases of accidental deaths related to voluntary inhalation of nitrous oxide, both found dead with a gas mask covering the face. In an attempt to find an explanation to why the victims did not react properly to oncoming hypoxia, we performed experiments where a test person was allowed to breath in a closed system, with or without nitrous oxide added. Vital signs and gas concentrations as well as subjective symptoms were recorded. The experiments indicated that the explanation to the fact that neither of the descendents had reacted to oncoming hypoxia and hypercapnia was due to the inhalation of nitrous oxide. This study raises the question whether nitrous oxide really should be easily, commercially available. |
| Keywords: | forensic science nitrous oxide abuse hypoxic asphyxia death restrictions |