Consultations about intoxication from laughing gas have doubled via phone calls - Nitrous oxide poisoning inquiries have more than doubled in calls for advice
The North Poison Information Center (PIZ-North), based at the University Medical Center Göttingen, reported a significant increase in consultations about nitrous oxide poisoning in 2024. The total number of consultations at the PIZ-North in 2024 was over 51,500, which is approximately 2% more than in the previous year.
In 2024, the PIZ-North experienced a 50% increase in consultations about nitrous oxide poisoning, with 34 cases reported compared to none in 2023. This surge in cases accounted for an unspecified percentage of the total consultations in 2024.
Despite the rise, the exact nature or cause of the increase in nitrous oxide poisoning cases in 2024 compared to 2023 remains unclear. The PIZ-North did not provide specific data about the number of nitrous oxide poisonings in 2023, nor did any relevant search results directly address why there has been such a substantial increase in nitrous oxide poisoning consultations at the PIZ-North specifically in 2024.
The PIZ-North, which is responsible for the federal states of Lower Saxony, Bremen, Hamburg, and Schleswig-Holstein, issued a strong warning against the misuse of nitrous oxide, a previously legal intoxicant, in 2024. Nitrous oxide misuse is frequently consumed by young people and adults, according to the PIZ-North.
In 2023, the PIZ-North provided consultations for 19 people who had inhaled nitrous oxide improperly. In some cases, permanent damage such as paralysis of arm and leg muscles occurred due to nitrous oxide misuse.
As in previous years, household chemicals and medications were the main causes of poisonings in children, according to the PIZ-North. Poisonings in adults, however, are usually related to medication.
Without specific data or regional reports from 2024 related to PIZ-North, it is not possible to confirm the exact reasons for the observed increase in consultations. If you have access to local health authority reports or hospital data from PIZ-North for 2024, these might provide detailed explanations such as demographic shifts, patterns of use, or changes in clinical practice leading to more consultations.
The PIZ-North offers consultations to citizens, doctors, and emergency services, providing essential support in managing poisoning cases. As the rise in nitrous oxide poisoning cases continues to be a concern, the PIZ-North remains committed to raising awareness about the dangers of nitrous oxide misuse and promoting safe practices.
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