PHOTO: GREGOR RICHARDSONThe Southern District Health Board may have solved the great disappearing nitrous oxide mystery. Medical gases such as nitrous oxide were the second largest contributor to the SDHB’s carbon footprint, and at 12.6%, were higher than both electricity and vehicles. At that time the board was using 3432 tonnes of nitrous oxide as a pain reliever, about 20 times more than any other DHB. "This resulted in a massive reduction in nitrous oxide usage of approximately 2600 tonnes — about the same as a Toyota Corolla driven 15million kilometres." "The two biggest carbon challenges we have had are the boilers, and the nitrous oxide use, so it will be a great achievement if we can eliminate both of these."

Source: Otago Daily Times August 10, 2021 16:34 UTC