INTRODUCTION

Members of the Compressed Gas Association (CGA) and of the Gases and Welding Distibutors Association (GAWDA) are joined by the medical profession, law enforcement, government and the media, in expressing concern over the abusive use of nitrous oxide, which has resulted in deaths and injuries.

Theft of cylinders has made nitrous oxide available to people who are seeking the euphoric qualities of the gas, but who are unaware of the hazards of abusing nitrous oxide. The abuse of nitrous oxide can impair an individual's ability to make and implement life-sustaining decisions, and can cause death by reducing the oxygen necessary to support life.

The CGA and the GAWDA have recommended the following guidelines for Nitrous Oxide Sales and Security. These guidelines are intended to help implement the principles of Product Stewardship that are contained in the Responsible Careâ initiative. Its intent is to identify sufficiently responsible control measures that will minimize the theft of nitrous oxide and deter its abuse.

 

THE CHAIN OF SUPPLY

The CGA/GAWDA Nitrous Oxide Sales and Security Recommended Guidelines are established for the following categories:

CATEGORY 1

Producers -- anyone who produces nitrous oxide and then purifies, compresses, and liquefies this product for storage, shipment, and sale to a second party.

CATEGORY 2

Commercial carriers -- anyone who transports for hire nitrous oxide by road, rail, sea, or air.

CATEGORY 3

Repackagers and distributors -- anyone who transfers nitrous oxide from a bulk vessel to cylinders, and anyone who sells nitrous oxide to medical, industrial, food, and other legitimate users.

CATEGORY 4

Legitimate users -- anyone who can substantiate a medical, industrial, food, or other legitimate use for nitrous oxide.

 

-- PRODUCERS --

NITROUS OXIDE SALES AND SECURITY RECOMMENDED GUIDELINES

CATEGORY 1

Producers -- anyone who produces nitrous oxide and then purifies, compresses, and liquefies this product for storage, shipment, and sale to a second party.

It is recommended that producers:

  1. Establish a written sales policy that identifies legitimate applications for nitrous oxide, that may include but is not limited to medical, industrial, and food-based uses;
  2. Restrict sale of nitrous oxide to those who can substantiate the legitimate use of nitrous oxide, as enumerated above;
  3. Establish a written policy that clearly defines conditions for cash sales of nitrous oxide (e.g., all cash sales must be accompanied by a driver's license and a certified document that identifies the company or medical practice that will use the product);
  4. Provide customers with a current MSDS and any additional instructions for proper use and safe handling practices;
  5. Provide and review with customers the CGA/GAWDA Nitrous Oxide Sales and Security Recommended Guidelines;
  6. Alert employees and customers to the dangers of nitrous oxide abuse.

 

-- COMMERCIAL CARRIERS --

NITROUS OXIDE SALES AND SECURITY RECOMMENDED GUIDELINES

CATEGORY 2

Commercial carriers -- anyone who transports for hire nitrous oxide by road, rail, sea, or air.

It is recommended that commercial carriers:

  1. Take appropriate steps to prevent the theft of nitrous oxide cylinders, both full and empty, since empty cylinders may contain residual product;
  2. Keep cylinders in a secure area when on company premises;
  3. Do not leave a delivery vehicle unattended without limiting access to nitrous oxide cylinders;
  4. Keep an inventory of both full and empty cylinders and investigate any discrepancies;
  5. Report any thefts promptly to the police and the shipper;
  6. Alert employees to the dangers of nitrous oxide abuse and train them on the special security measures they should take to prevent its theft.

 

-- REPACKAGERS AND DISTRIBUTORS --

NITROUS OXIDE SALES AND SECURITY RECOMMENDED GUIDELINES

CATEGORY 3

Repackagers and distributors -- anyone who transfers nitrous oxide from a bulk vessel to cylinders, and anyone who sells nitrous oxide to medical, industrial, food, and other legitimate users.

It is recommended that repackagers and distributors:

  1. Establish a written sales policy that identifies legitimate applications for nitrous oxide, that may include but is not limited to medical, industrial and food-based uses;
  2. Restrict sale of nitrous oxide to those who can substantiate the legitimate use of nitrous oxide, as enumerated above;
  3. Establish a written policy that clearly defines conditions for cash sales of nitrous oxide (e.g., all cash sales must be accompanied by a driver's license and a certified document that identifies the company or medical practice that will use the product);
  4. Sell denatured (e.g., rendered unfit for human consumption) nitrous oxide for enhancing performance of internal combustion engines, so as to deter abuse;
  5. Screen existing nitrous oxide accounts to assure that all are legitimate users of nitrous oxide;
  6. Provide customers with a current MSDS and any additional instructions for proper use and safe handling practices;
  7. Provide and review with customers the CGA/GAWDA Nitrous Oxide Sales and Security Recommended Guidelines;
  8. Take the following steps to prevent the theft of nitrous oxide cylinders, both full and empty, since empty cylinders may also contain residual product:
    - Keep cylinders in a secure area when on company premises;
    - Do not leave a delivery vehicle unattended without limiting access to nitrous oxide cylinders;
    - Keep an inventory of both full and empty cylinders and investigate any discrepancies;
    - Report any thefts promptly to the police and the supplier;
  9. Alert employees and customers to the dangers of nitrous oxide abuse and train them on the special security measures they should take to prevent its theft.

-- LEGITIMATE USERS --

NITROUS OXIDE SALES AND SECURITY RECOMMENDED GUIDELINES

CATEGORY 4

Legitimate users -- anyone who can substantiate a medical, industrial, food, or other legitimate use for nitrous oxide.

It is recommended that legitimate users:

  1. Minimize theft and indiscriminate use of nitrous oxide by storing containers and utilization equipment in a secured area subject to removal by authorized personnel only;
  2. Keep an inventory of bulk product and or containers (both full and empty) and investigate any discrepancies;
  3. Report any thefts promptly to the police and the shipper;
  4. Use denatured (e.g., rendered unfit for human consumption) nitrous oxide, if required, for enhancing performance of internal combustion engines, so as to deter abuse;
  5. Alert employees to the dangers of nitrous oxide abuse and train them on the special security measures they should take to prevent its theft;
  6. Provide employees with a current MSDS and any additional instructions for proper use and safe handling practices.