Find all of your laboratory and workplace safety supplies at Safety Emporium!

NAICS

Glossary Index

Nausea

MSDS Topics	Free Sites	FAQ's	Regulations	Glossary	Software	Suppliers
	Books	Forum	Poll	Fun stuff	Quiz	Store
Understand your MSDS with the MS-Demystifier				Search ALL our MSDS info

Definition

Narcosis is a state of deep stupor or unconsciousness produced by a chemical substance such as a drug or anesthesia.

A narcotic is a substance that induces narcosis.

Get your Break glass keyboxes and other emergency accessories from Safety Emporium.

Additional Info

Inhalation of certain chemicals can lead to narcosis. For example, diethyl ether and chloroform, two common organic solvents, were among the first examples of anesthesia known.

Deliberate inhalation of chemicals such as spray paints and household aerosols to obtain a quick "buzz" or high, a practice called huffing, is an disturbingly common activity among adolescents and young adults. This practice is exceedingly dangerous and likely to lead to brain damage or death. See the inhalants links under Further Reading for more information.

Many other chemicals that you would not suspect can also cause narcosis. For example, even though nitrogen gas comprises 78% of the air we breathe and is considered chemically inert (unreactive) it can cause narcosis under certain conditions.

SDS Relevance

This term usually appears on an Safety Data Sheet as a possible symptom of exposure, usually through inhalation. This would be listed in Section 11 (toxicological information) of the SDS.

Always work with adequate ventilation and avoid inhaling chemical fumes, mists, dusts etc. whenever possible. Use fume hoods and respirators as necessary. Section 8 (exposure controls/personal protection) of the SDS should suggest appropriate protective measures.

Further Reading

Keep your reactions together with these Keck-style standard taper joint clips from Safety Emporium.

• Health Hazards of Occupational Exposure to Industrial Solvents at the University of Hong Kong.
• Organic Solvent Neurotoxicity at the CDC's NIOSH
• Scientific review on the link between the narcotic effects of solvents and (developmental) neurotoxicity a 2017 report prepared for the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA).
• Solvent neurotoxicity from Occup. Environ. Med., 2006, 63(3), pp 221-226.
• Nitrogen Narcosis at eMedicineHealth.com.
• Nitrogen Narcosis: What Divers Should Know at Healthline.
• Nitrogen Narcosis In Diving at the National Center for Biotechnology Information.
• Inhalants at the National Institute on Drug Abuse.
• Inhalants (also called huffing) at the NIH/NLM's MedLinePlus medical encyclopedia.
• Intelligence Brief: Huffing, The Abuse of Inhalants at the National Drug Interdiction Center.

See also: anesthesia, coma, ventilation.

Additional definitions from Google and OneLook.

Entry last updated: Friday, January 6, 2023. This page is copyright 2000-2024 by ILPI. Unauthorized duplication or posting on other web sites is expressly prohibited. Send suggestions, comments, and new entry desires (include the URL if applicable) to us by email.

Disclaimer: The information contained herein is believed to be true and accurate, however ILPI makes no guarantees concerning the veracity of any statement. Use of any information on this page is at the reader's own risk. ILPI strongly encourages the reader to consult the appropriate local, state and federal agencies concerning the matters discussed herein.