Intoxication by Drug
Conditions
Keywords
Nitrous oxide, Forensic chemistry, driving under the influence, laughing gas
Brief summary
The study examines the concentrations of nitrous oxide that are achieved in blood, exhaled air, and urine after three different exposures to nitrous oxide: inhalation of three or four cartridges of nitrous oxide released in a car cabin in a switched-off car, consumption of 100 g of whipped cream in which nitrous oxide is used as a propellant, and exposure through work as a midwife in a delivery room. The concentrations in blood and exhaled air are measured for up to 1 hour after exposure, and in urine for up to 2 hours after exposure. The concentrations in blood and urine are measued with gas chromatography and mass spectrometry, while the concentration in exhaled air is measured by a sensor using an NDIR sensor (Olythe, France).
Interventions
OTHERNitrous Oxide 99 %
Passive exposure to Nitrous Oxide
Midwifes are exposed through work in a delivery room
Sponsors
University of Aarhus
Study design
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
OTHER
Masking
NONE
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to 65 Years
Healthy volunteers
Yes
Inclusion criteria
For arm 1, 2, and 3: Inclusion Criteria: * Age 18-65 years * Able to understand Danish * Willing to use effective contraception for 24 hours after the end of exposure (oral contraceptives, contraceptive implant, transdermal patch, vaginal ring, or injectable contraceptives) * Written informed consent
Exclusion criteria
* Current or past abuse of drugs, nitrous oxide (N₂O), or alcohol * A psychiatric disorder requiring medical treatment, including severe depression * A diagnosis of epilepsy * Symptoms of peripheral neuropathy * Significant cardiac or pulmonary disease * Previous allergic or adverse reaction to N₂O * Diving within the past 2 days * Inability to refrain from diving for 2 days after the study * Occupational exposure to N₂O * Use of N₂O within the past 3 months * Treatment with methotrexate, benzodiazepines, opioids, or other centrally depressant drugs * Recent intraocular gas injection * Known impaired liver or kidney function * Pregnant or breastfeeding women (fertile women, defined as amenorrhea for less than 12 months, must have a negative hCG pregnancy test prior to receiving the study intervention)
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Detection time of Nitrous Oxide in blood | From end of exposure to 1 hour after end of exposure | The time after exposure in which Nitrous Oxide can be detected in blood |
Countries
Denmark
Contacts
CONTACTCharlotte U Andersen, Associate Professor
Outcome results
None listed