Entonox

SECTION 2: Hazards identification

Main Hazards Entonox is non-flammable, but readily support combustion. Never permit oil, grease or other readily combustible substance to come into contact with high concentration of Entonox. Adverse Health Effects Entonox should not be used in any condition where air is entrapped within the body and where its expansion might be dangerous, such as head injuries with impairment of consciousness, artificial, traumatic/spontaneous pneumothorax, air embolism, decompression sickness following a recent dive, following air encephalography, severe bullous emphysema, during myringoplasty, gross abdominal distension, intoxication, and maxillofacial injuries. Chemical Hazards Entonox is non-flammable, but strongly supports combustion (including some materials which do not normally burn in air). Since dry Entonox is non-corrosive, most materials of construction are suitable. Avoid all combustible materials. Biological Hazards The administration of Entonox more frequently than every 4 days, should be accompanied by routine blood cell counts for evidence of megaloblastic change in red cells & hyper segmentation of neutrophils. Vapour Inhalation The nitrous oxide constituent of Entonox is rapidly eliminated but, as a safety precaution, it is recommended that driving, use of machinery and other psychomotor activities should not be undertaken until 12 hours have elapsed after Entonox analgesia. Eye Contact No known effect Skin Contact No known effect Ingestion Depletion of methionine has been implicated in neurological deficit seen in chronic abusers of Entonox. Inapplicable, unwitting or deliberate inhalation of Entonox will result in unconsciousness, passing through stages of increased intoxication and light-headednes, and if the victim were to be within a confined space, death from anoxia could result. Remove the victim to an uncontaminated area. If necessary administer oxygen resuscitation.