Ex vivo detection of recreational consumed nitrous oxide in exhaled breath
Abstract The increasing use of recreational nitrous oxide ( $$\hbox {N}_{2}$$ O) in the Netherlands and its link to traffic accidents highlights the need for reliable detection methods for law enforcement. This study focused on ex vivo detection of $$\hbox {N}_{2}$$ O in exhaled breath and examining...
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| Main Authors: | , , , , , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Nature Portfolio
2025-01-01
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| Series: | Scientific Reports |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-86666-9 |
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| Summary: | Abstract The increasing use of recreational nitrous oxide ( $$\hbox {N}_{2}$$ O) in the Netherlands and its link to traffic accidents highlights the need for reliable detection methods for law enforcement. This study focused on ex vivo detection of $$\hbox {N}_{2}$$ O in exhaled breath and examining its persistence in the human body. Firstly, a low-cost portable infrared based detector was selected and validated to detect $$\hbox {N}_{2}$$ O in air. Then, the influence of interferents and conditions potentially influencing the analysis were evaluated including relative humidity, ethanol, acetaldehyde and $$\hbox {CO}_{2}$$ . Subsequently, $$\hbox {N}_{2}$$ O breathing dynamics were evaluated in vitro and ex vivo. Initially, a lung simulator was used to model respiratory mechanics and $$\hbox {N}_{2}$$ O decay, revealing detectable $$\hbox {N}_{2}$$ O levels up to 90 min after exposure. In the final part of this study, a controlled single and double dose of $$\hbox {N}_{2}$$ O gas was administered to 24 volunteers in an operating theatre. The presence of $$\hbox {N}_{2}$$ O in exhaled breath of the volunteers was analysed using infra red spectroscopy every 12-15 min. Our results show that $$\hbox {N}_{2}$$ O was detectable in exhaled breath for a minimum of 60 min post-administration and revealed a window of detection to potentially measure $$\hbox {N}_{2}$$ O for law enforcement and forensic purposes. |
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| ISSN: | 2045-2322 |