Between 2015 and 2020, nitrous oxide canisters were a common sight on the streets of Dutch cities—silent witnesses to an addiction issue among the population.
Municipal street-cleaning vehicles could not handle the canisters; they were simply too heavy to be vacuumed up.
Rotterdam resident Eric Alblas, who relied on a mobility scooter due to hemophilia, took it upon himself to clear the streets of these canisters. Every day, he would head out into the city equipped with a magnetic grabber tool and a basket placed between his feet on his scooter. Each day, he would return home with a full basket, which he would then empty into his trash bin.

The Lachgasman van Rotterdam ("Nitrous Oxide Man of Rotterdam") serves as a tribute to Eric, who passed away in 2023 due to medical complications. Beyond Eric, this sculpture also honors all other volunteers who help clean up public spaces—individuals who do their part to keep our streets livable and our natural environment cleaner.

In 2025, the sculpture was added to the collection of Museum Rotterdam.