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Registry of Toxic Effects of Chemical Substances (RTECS)

Nitrogen oxide

RTECS #

QX1350000

CAS #

10024-97-2

Updated

December 2013

Molecular Weight

44.02

Molecular Formula

N2O

Synonyms

Dinitrogen monoxide
Factitious air
Hyponitrous acid anhydride
Laughing gas
Nitrous oxide
Nitrous oxide (ACGIH:OSHA)

Mutation Data and Reference

System TestRoute/Organism/TissueDoseReference
DNA inhibitioninhalation/human50 pph/24HLANCAO 2,339,1978
DNA inhibitioninhalation/rat75000 ppm/24HAACRAT 62,738,1983
micronucleus testinhalation/human1000 µg/L/18Y- intermittentMUREAV 581,1,2005
other mutation test systemsinhalation/rat50 pph/2D-continuousTCMUD8 8,107,1988
sex chromosome loss and nondisjunctioninhalation/Drosophila melanogaster99 pph/6M-continuousENVRAL 7,286,1974

Reproductive Effects Data and References

Route/OrganismDoseEffectReference
inhalation/rat 5 pph/4H (6-15D pregnant)Reproductive: Effects on newborn: BehavioralTJADAB 31,6B,1985
inhalation/rat 20 pph/8H (28D male)Reproductive: Paternal effects: Testes, epididymis, sperm ductANESAV 44,104,1976
inhalation/rat 50 pph/24H (8-11D pregnant)Reproductive: Specific developmental abnormalities: Central nervous system

Reproductive: Specific developmental abnormalities: Cardiovascular (circulatory) system

Reproductive: Specific developmental abnormalities: Urogenital system		NATUAS 214,146,1967
inhalation/rat 50 ppm/6H (30D male)Reproductive: Effects on newborn: Live birth index (Litter size (e.g., # fetuses per litter; measured after birth)

Reproductive: Effects on newborn: Growth statistics (e.g., reduced weight gain)		ANASAB 38,319,1983
inhalation/rat 1 pph/8H (1-21D pregnant)Reproductive: Effects on embryo or fetus: Extra embryonic structures (e.g., placenta, umbilical cord)

Reproductive: Effects on embryo or fetus: Fetal death		ANESAV 48,11,1978
inhalation/rat 50 pph/4H (14D pregnant)Reproductive: Effects on newborn: Biochemical and metabolicDPTHDL 8,43,1985
inhalation/mouse 75 pph/6H (14D pregnant)Reproductive: Effects on embryo or fetus: Cytological changes (including somatic cell genetic material)TJADAB 32,26A,1985
inhalation/mouse 5000 ppm/4H (14D pregnant)Reproductive: Effects on newborn: BehavioralNTOTDY 8,189,1986
inhalation/hamster 90 pph/24H (10D pregnant)Reproductive: Effects on fertility: Post- implantation mortality (e.g., dead and/or resorbed implants per total number of implants)CJPPA3 57,1229,1979
inhalation/hamster 95 pph/24H (7D pregnant)Reproductive: Effects on embryo or fetus: Fetotoxicity (except death, e.g., stunted fetus)CJPPA3 57,1229,1979
inhalation/rat 0.1 pph (1-19D pregnant)Reproductive: Effects on embryo or fetus: Fetal death

Reproductive: Other developmental abnormalities		VCVN5* -,31,1989
subcutaneous/rat 3 gm/kg (8D pregnant)Reproductive: Effects on fertility: Post- implantation mortality (e.g., dead and/or resorbed implants per total number of implants)

Reproductive: Other effects to embryo or fetus

Reproductive: Specific developmental abnormalities: Musculoskeletal system		TJADAB 43,151,1991
subcutaneous/rat 3 gm/kg (8D pregnant)Reproductive: Specific developmental abnormalities: Cardiovascular (circulatory) systemTJADAB 43,151,1991

Acute Toxicity Data and References

Route/OrganismDoseEffectReference
inhalation/Dog lowest published toxic concentration: 47 pph/1HBlood: Other changesAANEAB 46,699,2002
inhalation/human lowest published toxic concentration: 24 mg/kg/2HBehavioral: General anesthetic

Cardiac: Pulse rate decreased with fall in BP

Nutritional and Gross Metabolic: Body temperature decrease		BJANAD 35,631,1963
inhalation/mouse lowest published toxic concentration: 25 pph/5MBehavioral: AnalgesiaJPETAB 306,484,2003
inhalation/rat lowest published toxic concentration: 60 pph/90MNutritional and Gross Metabolic: Body temperature decreasePSCHDL 191,233,2007
inhalation/rat lowest published toxic concentration: 60 mg/m3Liver: Multiple effectsVCVN5* -,31,1993

Other Multiple Dose Data and References

Route/OrganismDoseEffectReference
inhalation/hamster lowest published toxic concentration: 90 mg/m3/24H/10W- continuousLung, Thorax, or Respiration: Acute pulmonary edema

Lung, Thorax, or Respiration: Changes in lung weight

Related to Chronic Data: Death in the "MULTIPLE DOSE" data type field		VCVN5* -,31,1989
inhalation/mouse lowest published toxic concentration: 50 ppm/6H/13W- intermittentLiver: Changes in liver weight

Blood: Changes in leukocyte (WBC) count		TIHEEC 6,57,1990
inhalation/rat lowest published toxic concentration: 60 pph/90M/4D- intermittentBehavioral: TolerancePSCHDL 191,233,2007
inhalation/rat lowest published toxic concentration: 60 pph/90M/5D- intermittentBehavioral: Tolerance

Nutritional and Gross Metabolic: Body temperature increase		PSCHDL 191,233,2007
inhalation/rat lowest published toxic concentration: 60 pph/90M/5D- intermittentBehavioral: TolerancePSCHDL 191,233,2007
inhalation/woman lowest published toxic concentration: 59 ppm/5Y- intermittentPeripheral Nerve and Sensation: Sensory syndrome diagnostic of central lesionNRTXDN 26,193,2005

Reviews

OrganizationStandardReference
American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH)Threshold Limit Value-time-weighted average 50 ppmDTLVS* TLV/BEI,2013
American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH)Threshold Limit Value-Not classifiable as a human carcinogenDTLVS* TLV/BEI,2013
International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC)Cancer Review:Animal Inadequate EvidenceIMSUDL 7,93,1987
TOXICOLOGY REVIEWCLPTAT 8,91,1967
TOXICOLOGY REVIEWAACRAT 57,328,1978
TOXICOLOGY REVIEWXPHBAO 272,1,1941
TOXICOLOGY REVIEWTPHSDY 24,55,2003
TOXICOLOGY REVIEWTPHSDY 24,609,2003
TOXICOLOGY REVIEWENTOX* -,251,2005
TOXICOLOGY REVIEWHUTOX* -,661,1996
TOXICOLOGY REVIEWHUTOX* -,577,1996
TOXICOLOGY REVIEWMUREAV 674,62,2009
TOXICOLOGY REVIEWBLREV* 3,71,1989
TOXICOLOGY REVIEWNCLNA* 16,503,1998
TOXICOLOGY REVIEWNEUCL* 23,377,2005
TOXICOLOGY REVIEWNBREV* 5,1,1981
TOXICOLOGY REVIEWPRESR* 7,123,2006
TOXICOLOGY REVIEWNTAPM* -,617,1995
TOXICOLOGY REVIEWNTAPM* -,629,1995
TOXICOLOGY REVIEWMUTAEX 26,43,2011
TOXICOLOGY REVIEWMUREAV 717,46,2011
TOXICOLOGY REVIEWNRTXDN 33,605,2012

Standards and Regulations

OrganizationStandardReference
Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) STANDARDASPHYXIANTS/GASESDTLWS* 3,25,1973
Occupational Exposure Limit IN ARGENTINA, BULGARIA, COLOMBIA, JORDAN check ACGIH TLV;
Occupational Exposure Limit IN SINGAPORE, VIETNAM check ACGIH TLV
Occupational Exposure Limit-AUSTRALIAtime-weighted average 25 ppm (45 mg/m3), JUL2008
Occupational Exposure Limit-AUSTRIAMAK-TMW 100 ppm (180 mg/m3);KZW 400 ppm (720 mg/m3), 2007
Occupational Exposure Limit-BELGIUMtime-weighted average 50 ppm (91 mg/m3), MAR2002
Occupational Exposure Limit-DENMARKtime-weighted average 50 ppm (90 mg/m3), MAY2011
Occupational Exposure Limit-FINLANDtime-weighted average 100 ppm (180 mg/m3), NOV2011
Occupational Exposure Limit-GERMANYMAK 100 ppm (180 mg/m3), 2011
Occupational Exposure Limit-HUNGARYtime-weighted average 180 mg/m3, short term exposure limit 720 mg/m3, SEP2000
Occupational Exposure Limit-ICELANDtime-weighted average 50 ppm (90 mg/m3), NOV2011
Occupational Exposure Limit-NEW ZEALANDtime-weighted average 25 ppm (45 mg/m3), JAN2002
Occupational Exposure Limit-NORWAYtime-weighted average 100 ppm (180 mg/m3), JAN1999
Occupational Exposure Limit-PERUtime-weighted average 50 ppm (90 mg/m3), JUL2005
Occupational Exposure Limit-SWEDENtime-weighted average 100 ppm (180 mg/m3);short term exposure limit 500 ppm (900 mg/m3), JUN2005
Occupational Exposure Limit-SWITZERLANDMAK-week 100 ppm (182 mg/m3), KZG-week 200 ppm (364 mg/m3), JAN2011
Occupational Exposure Limit-THE NETHERLANDSMAC-TGG 152 mg/m3, 2003
Occupational Exposure Limit-UNITED KINGDOMtime-weighted average 100 ppm (183 mg/m3), OCT2007
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Permissible Exposure Limit (Construction)simple asphyxiant-inert gases and vaporsCFRGBR 29,1926.55,1994
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Permissible Exposure Limit (Shipyards)Simple asphyxiant - inert gas and vaporCFRGBR 29,1915.1000,1993

NIOSH Documentation and Surveillance

OrganizationStandardReference
National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Recommended Exposure Level TO NITROUS OXIDE-airtime-weighted average 25 ppm for duration of exposureNIOSH* DHHS #92-100,1992
National Occupational Exposure Survey 1983Hazard Code 51118; Number of Industries 25; Total Number of Facilities 5145; Number of Occupations 34; Total Number of Employees Exposed 112585; Total Number of Female Employees Exposed 74465
National Occupational Hazard Survey 1974Hazard Code 51118; Number of Industries 45; Total Number of Facilities 5599; Number of Occupations 36; Total Number of Employees Exposed 113333

Status in Federal Agencies

OrganizationReference
EPA GENETOX PROGRAM 1988, Inconclusive: Carcinogenicity-mouse/rat
EPA GENETOX PROGRAM 1988, Negative: Sperm morphology-mouse
EPA GENETOX PROGRAM 1988, Positive: V79 cell culture-gene mutation
EPA TSCA Section 8(b) CHEMICAL INVENTORY
EPA TSCA Section 8(d) unpublished health/safety studies
EPA TSCA TEST SUBMISSION (TSCATS) DATA BASE, JANUARY 2001
NIOSH Analytical Method, 1994: Nitrous oxide, 6600
OSHA ANALYTICAL METHOD #ID166

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