‘Laughing Gas’ Theft No Laughing Matter

Sun., Dec. 31, 1995

Associated Press

Caldwell police are warning thieves who swiped two nitrous oxide bottles from a hospital that whiffs of the “laughing gas” could be lethal.

The theft was discovered Friday at the West Valley Medical Center in Caldwell. The containers were taken from a storage area outside the hospital.

Mixed with oxygen, nitrous oxide is used at 2 percent strength as an anesthetic or pain reliever for dental and other medical procedures. But an excessive concentration can cause suffocation.

If inhaled full strength, nitrous oxide “basically puts you to sleep. It kills you,” Lt. Allan Laird said.

That is what happened in October 1993 to Dustin Grint, 20, after he and two others stole a bottle of the gas from the hospital.

Grint, of Caldwell, a Boise State University student, died at an Albertson College of Idaho fraternity house after breathing nitrous oxide. An acquaintance said his death was a college prank that got out of hand.

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