Health officials are warning residents after a new study revealed a dramatic rise in nitrous oxide misuse, mainly in the metro areas of Michigan.

Nitrous oxide, commonly known as laughing gas, is widely used in the medical and food industries, most notably in whipped cream dispensers.

Nitrous oxide, also known as “laughing gas,” is safe when it’s used properly and in a medical setting but it also has the potential for abuse.

DETROIT – A campaign has been launched to address the use of nitrous oxide (whippets) in Detroit. The use of whippets has resulted in significant littering and negative health implications for those who use them. READ: Hundreds of ‘whippit’ canisters left at Riverside SkateparkIn the past four weeks, the Southwest Detroit Whippet Wipe Out Campaign volunteers have collected around 25,000 empty whippet cartridges from parks and streets in the 48209 and 48210 zip codes. The small cartridges get in our tires and cause flats and blow-outs and is a danger to pedestrians, cyclists and those traveling on scooters. We formed this coalition to engage and educate our community about the public health and safety issues that are created by using whippets.”The campaign is focused on providing community awareness and access to nitrous oxide abuse health education information.