[PHNUTR-L] Occupational Exposure to Nitrous Oxide May Negatively Impact Vitamin B12 Status

[Kathrynne Holden]

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	Occupational Exposure to Nitrous Oxide May Negatively Impact Vitamin 
B12 Status
http://www.vitasearch.com/CP/weeklyupdates/

Reference: 	"Impaired vitamin B12 metabolic status in healthcare workers 
occupationally exposed to nitrous oxide," Krajewski W, Kucharska M, et 
al, Br J Anaesth, 2007; 99(6): 812-8. (Address: Department of 
Anaesthesia and Intensive Care Medicine, The Polish Mother Memorial 
Hospital, Lodz, Poland).

Summary: 	In a study involving 95 operating room nurses with a history 
of exposure to nitrous oxide and 90 unexposed counterparts, results 
indicate that impaired vitamin B12 status is more prevalent among nurses 
occupationally exposed to nitrous oxide. Vitamin B12 and homocysteine 
(Hcy) were measured in all participants. Subjects exposed to nitrous 
oxide showed lower vitamin B12 and higher Hcy levels than subjects 
without exposure to nitrous oxide. Additionally, the decrease in vitamin 
B12 levels was significantly greater in subjects exposed to nitrous 
oxide in concentrations substantially exceeding occupational exposure 
limit. Thus, the authors of this study conclude, "Exposure to N(2)O 
[nitrous oxide] in healthcare workers is associated with alterations of 
vitamin B12 metabolic status, the extent of which depends on the level 
of exposure."
-- 
Kathrynne Holden, MS, RD
"Ask the Parkinson Dietitian"  http://www.parkinson.org/
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