The workplace exposure limit for nitrous dioxide is 100 parts per million in the air.

In two weeks, a hospital trust said that women who give birth should have access to gas or air.

Ipswich Hospital ceased offering pain relief after finding high levels of nitrous dioxide in the delivery suites in December.

The trust stated that “until there is a solution that is safe and effective, we cannot reintroduce air and gas to keep our maternity staff safe.”

The report added that work to improve ventilation in delivery suites is now underway.

According to Dr. Giles Thorpe of East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Foundation Trust (which runs the hospital), about 50% of women use gas or air to assist them in giving birth.

Image caption, The trust that runs Ipswich Hospital said it was “confident” gas and air would be made available “the week after next.”

Dr. Thorpe said that the trust was “responsible” for ensuring that the levels of nitrous dioxide in the air and gas within the delivery suites were compliant with the Health and Safety Executive’s guidelines.

He said, “We’re confident that we can reinstate gas and air services. Not everywhere, but we’re confident as we go forward, next week, we will have the ability to provide a service once again.”

The mobile ventilation units, also known as scavengers, were introduced to purify the air. However, they were not suitable for a smaller birthing room.

The trust stated that midwives are supporting people with alternative pain relief options.

Basildon Hospital, Essex, recently removed gas and air from the hospital for similar reasons.

Entonox is another name for the nitrous oxide and oxygen mixture.

Basildon Hospital: gas and air relief for pregnant women

The Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust has said that there is no harm to mothers and infants.

After a series of investigations into high levels of nitrogen dioxide in gas and air, pain relief has been restored in a maternity suite.

The high levels were revealed in tests conducted in June 2021 by Basildon University Hospital, Essex.

However, the installation of a brand new ventilation system has been put off.

Entonox was reintroduced by the hospital over the weekend after being unavailable for about three weeks.

The Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust previously stated that there was no harm done to mothers or babies.

The Basildon University Hospital, in Essex, said that it had taken “immediate actions to resolve the issue”.

The suspension period is a time when other pain-relieving methods are available.

Re-deployment of pregnant staff members to other hospital areas

The trust refused to comment on Monday or confirm whether the new ventilation system was installed.

Hannah Coffey, the trust’s acting CEO, had previously written to staff, as seen by the BBC, saying that the delay was “unacceptable”.

Long-term exposure to the gas has been associated with anemia, vitamin B12 deficiencies, and fertility problems.