‘No laughing matter:’ Single-use nitrous oxide cylinders are exploding at Metro Vancouver’s waste-to-energy plant
Inappropriate disposal of the cylinders also causes greenhouse gas emissions. Metro estimates at least 100 vape and smoke shops are selling them as whippets.
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Metro Vancouver is considering asking the federal government to ban single-use nitrous oxide cylinders after they have cause several explosions at the region’s waste-to-energy plant in Burnaby.
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Inappropriate disposal of large volume, single-use nitrous oxide cylinders — also called whippets or laughing gas — cause safety concerns, soaring costs and an increase in greenhouse gas emissions, which contribute to human-caused climate change.
The small single-use canisters are typically used as whipped cream chargers but are also used illicitly to get high with potentially serious illness such as neurotoxic effects, psychosis or severe frostbite.
According to a staff report to Metro Vancouver’s zero waste committee, at least 100 vape and smoke shops in the region are selling single-use, valved nitrous-oxide cylinders.
The canisters sold at smoke shops are different than the pharmaceutical versions that combine nitrous oxide and oxygen for managing pain and anxiety at the dentist or while in labour, which are safe when used appropriately, say medical experts.
Staff recommend that Metro’s board chair and zero waste committee chair write to the federal government requesting a ban on the import and sale of large single-use valved nitrous oxide cylinders.
The report will be voted on by the committee on Thursday.
Metro Vancouver wrote to Health Canada in December requesting confirmation that the sale of these canisters is illegal in Canada but did not receive a response.
The report says about 700 cylinders a month are being dropped off properly at recycling and waste centres but the rest are being dumped in the garbage.
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Nitrous oxide is legitimately used for medical purposes to relieve pain, for certain industrial processes, and food preparation purposes such as whipping cream. For commercial food and for medical purposes, nitrous oxide is provided in reusable cylinders that are leased or sold to users and refilled by specialty compressed gas companies.
Metro Vancouver says these companies have protocols in place to ensure proper use of the nitrous oxide that they provide.
Staff also recommend staff to work with other entities such as local health authorities, the Retail Council of Canada, and the Federation of Canadian Municipalities in support of a ban.
Metro Vancouver is urging residents to take the nitrous oxide cylinders to a recycling depot and do not throw them in the garbage. Exploding cans can hurt workers.
The regional district has asked B.C.’s Ministry of Environment that the cylinders be included in the compressed gas cylinder category of products that were recently added to the recycling regulation to transfer the cost of recycling the cylinders to producers.
Recycling costs are small compared to costs associated with damage at the waste-to-energy plant, say staff.
Cost impacts are still being assessed, but if this problem continues, Metro staff estimate explosions will cost millions of dollars per year.
Last year, Health Canada warned residents not to consume unregulated whippets. The federal department said there could be serious health risks, including death.
Some of the brand names include: Bamboozle; GreatWhip Grand Cream Charger; GreatWhip Max; Need Whip; Primewhip; Primewhip XL; Space Gas; And Whip-It! N2O Cream Charger.
Under Canadian law, nitrous oxide for inhalation can only be administered by an authorized health care professional for legitimate and safe uses, such as in medical and dental procedures for sedation and pain relief. It is also in cream dispensers and other food tools where it is not meant to be inhaled.
When inhaled — or huffed — nitrous oxide can cause euphoria and relaxation but it can also cause serious adverse effects, the warning stated.
