Reducing Nitrous Oxide Emissions Across the Melbourne Biomedical Precinct
- Author(s)
- Robertson, R; Downey, A; Williams, D; Makein, B; Dunne, B; Ozturk, T; Gu, Y; McIntyre, R;
- Details
- Publication Year 2026-07,Volume 224,Issue #7,Page e70243
- Journal Title
- Medical Journal of Australia
- Publication Type
- Commentary
- Abstract
- Nitrous oxide (N(2)O) accounts for the majority of Australian healthcare's direct anaesthetic gas-related greenhouse gas emissions due to reticulated system leaks. Updated Australasian guidelines no longer mandate a reticulated N(2)O supply. We present the efforts of four Melbourne hospitals to reduce N(2)O emissions across diverse clinical contexts. Two have decommissioned reticulated N(2)O and adopted cylinder supplies as required through clinical consultation and interdisciplinary collaboration. Two face ongoing high clinical demand for N(2)O, with multiple locations sharing infrastructure, and are pursuing audits and trials to guide change. These case studies illustrate the diverse strategies and challenges involved in reducing N(2)O emissions.
- Publisher
- Wiley
- Keywords
- *Nitrous Oxide/adverse effects; Humans; *Anesthetics, Inhalation/adverse effects; Australia; Victoria; anaesthesia; anaesthesia, obstetrical; anaesthesia, paediatric; climate change; global warming
- Department(s)
- Anaesthetics; Surgical Oncology
- Publisher's Version
- https://doi.org/10.5694/mja2.70243
- Terms of Use/Rights Notice
- Refer to copyright notice on published article.
Creation Date: 2026-08-04 05:57:44
Last Modified: 2026-08-04 05:57:48