The specific health effects for nitrous oxide and the halogenated anesthetic gases are summarized below. An acute exposure is defined as a short-term exposure (i.e., minutes to days) to a relatively high concentration of an anesthetic gas. A chronic exposure includes long term exposures (i.e., months to years) to relatively low concentrations of anesthetic gases.
Nitrous Oxide
Acute exposure can cause:
- Lightheadedness
- Shortness of breath
Chronic exposure has been linked to:
- Reproductive effects
- Neurologic disease
- Liver/kidney disease
Halogenated Anesthetic Gases
Acute exposure can cause:
- Central nervous system effects (headache, drowsiness, nausea, irritability)
- Transient blurring of vision
- Difficulties with judgement and coordination
- Liver and kidney disease
Chronic halogenated anesthetics exposure has been linked to:
- Reproductive effects
- Cancer
- Liver and kidney disease
- Asphyxia
For more information consult the document Anesthetic Gases: Safe Use Guidelines.