Percentage of pediatric cases where nitrous oxide gas was used during induction of anesthesia.

^1-7Inhalational agents (halogenated hydrocarbons and nitrous oxide) leaking or vented into the atmosphere are environmental pollutants with significant global warming potential. 

N₂O is both a potent greenhouse gas and an ozone depleting agent. N2O has an atmospheric lifetime of 114 years, the longest of the commonly used inhaled agents. Thus, the use of N₂O as a carrier gas compared to air/oxygen substantially increases the global warming impact in the operating room.

Eliminating the use of nitrous oxide in the operating room can decrease occupational exposure, public health harm, and cost of anesthesia without compromising patient care.

Table adapted from American Society of Anesthesiologists’ Task Force on Environmental Sustainability Committee on Equipment and Facilities: Greening the Operating Room and Perioperative Arena: Environmental Sustainability for Anesthesia Practice²

*Nitrous oxide value is derived as an average of the range provided on the EPA website: 265-298.

Induction Start to Intubation. If not available, then Induction End

Patients < 18yo who undergo general anesthesia as defined by Anesthesia Technique: General

Patients ≥ 18yo

Nitrous oxide was not administered during the induction period of anesthesia

Values for flows and inhalational agents will be assessed and considered as artifact if inside the following ranges:

• Nitrous Oxide Flows: < 0.2 L/min
• Nitrous Oxide Insp %: < 20%

All providers signed in during the induction time period

1. Epa US, OAR: Understanding global warming potentials 2016 at <https://www.epa.gov/ghgemissions/understanding-global-warming-potentials>
2. Andersen MPS, Nielsen OJ, Wallington TJ, Karpichev B, Sander SP: Assessing the Impact on Global Climate from General Anesthetic Gases. Anesthesia & Analgesia 2012; 114:1081
3. Eisenkraft JB, McGregor DG: Waste Anesthetic Gases and Scavenging Systems 2013:pp 125–47 doi:10.1016/b978-0-323-11237-6.00005-4
4. Feldman JM: Managing fresh gas flow to reduce environmental contamination. Anesth Analg 2012; 114:1093–101.
5. McGain F, Muret J, Lawson C, Sherman JD: Environmental sustainability in anaesthesia and critical care. Br J Anaesth 2020; 125:680–92. 
6. Greening the Operating Room at <https://www.asahq.org/about-asa/governance-and-committees/asa-committees/environmental-sustainability/greening-the-operating-room>.
7. Varughese, Shane MD; Ahmed, Raza MD. Environmental and Occupational Considerations of Anesthesia: A Narrative Review and Update. Anesthesia & Analgesia: October 2021 - Volume 133 - Issue 4 - p 826-835.