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| The abuse and improper use of Nitrous Oxide (N2O) gas in "laughing gas" poses a risk of negative effects on human health, especially among young people. |
The Ministry of Health has just sent an official dispatch to the Military Medical Department (Ministry of National Defense); the Health Department (Ministry of Public Security); hospitals under the Ministry of Health; Health Departments of provinces and cities; and the Health sector regarding not using N2O gas - Nitrogen Oxide gas (chemical name is Dinitrogen monoxide) on patients.
In a document signed by Deputy Minister of Health Do Xuan Tuyen, it is stated that the current abuse of N2O gas at some entertainment venues affects people's mental and physical health.
According to the Ministry of Health, reports from the Drug Administration of Vietnam and a number of related units confirm that N2O gas does not have sufficient legal basis to be recognized as a medicine in Vietnam. Therefore, the Ministry of Health requires medical examination and treatment facilities not to use N2O gas on patients without the approval of the Ministry of Health. At the same time, units must strengthen the management of the use of this gas at the facility (if any) to avoid loss, abuse and misuse.
"The head of any unit that allows loss, abuse or misuse must take full responsibility before the law," the Ministry of Health's document emphasized.
Previously, the Ministry of Health also sent a document to the People's Committees of provinces and cities on strengthening the management of production, trading and use of N2O gas products. Accordingly, the Ministry of Health said that Nitrogen Oxide gas has the chemical formula N2O, is a chemical used in industry (production of solar cells, in welding, cutting techniques, for machines, analytical equipment, increasing engine capacity...); at the same time, it is used in food production and processing (included in the list of food additives of the International Food Commission - Codex); and is being researched for use as a sedative and pain reliever in dentistry.
However, the abuse and improper use of Nitrous Oxide (N2O) gas can have negative effects on human health, especially in young people due to nerve stimulation, excitement and laughter; long-term use can lead to autism, headaches, fatigue, physical weakness; high doses can lead to hallucinations... At the same time, it can have negative impacts on social life.
To strengthen the management of Nitrous Oxide (N2O) gas according to legal regulations and prevent abuse and misuse, the Ministry of Health has issued an official dispatch requesting the People's Committees of provinces and centrally-run cities to direct the implementation of: Strengthening inspection, examination and supervision of establishments importing, trading and decanting Nitrous Oxide (N2O) gas products to ensure compliance with legal regulations on chemical management as well as food additive management; strengthening information, education and communication to people, especially teenagers, students and pupils about the harmful effects and consequences of abuse and misuse of Nitrous Oxide (N2O).
At the same time, issue regulations according to authority to prevent and handle the abuse and misuse of Nitrogen Oxide (N2O) gas, especially at entertainment venues such as bars, dance clubs, karaoke bars, cinemas, offices, schools, etc.
The Ministry of Health also requested localities to review, evaluate and propose amendments and supplements to legal regulations and business conditions in the field of production and trading of Nitrogen Oxide (N2O) gas products to ensure thorough control of the risk of abuse and misuse, affecting the health of consumers, enhancing the effectiveness and efficiency of state management and creating favorable conditions for enterprises to produce, import and trade in accordance with regulations.
Recently, there has been a lot of information about young people abusing 'laughing gas' and the serious health consequences of abusing N2O gas. There have been many cases of long-term hospitalization due to spinal cord injury, numbness in limbs, psychosis, N2O gas poisoning...
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