Health-hazard evaluation report HETA 87-013-1803, West Seattle Community Hospital, Seattle, Washington

Technical Report · Mon Jun 01 00:00:00 EDT 1987

OSTI ID:5675265

Gunter, B J; Daniels, W J

An evaluation was made in the operating rooms (ORs); the recovery room, and in the OR reception area for nitrous oxide, ethrane, halothane, and isoflurane. Measurements were also taken for ethylene oxide (EtO). Of 15 samples taken and tested for NO/sub 2/, five exceeding the NIOSH Recommended Exposure Limit of 25 parts per million (ppm). Isoflurane was found in all 12 personal and area air samples at concentrations from 0.09 to 1.96 ppm. Ethrane was present in three of 12 samples at concentrations from 0.36 to 0.96ppm. Halothane was below the limit of detection. Isoflurane was detected in a personal sample from the recovery room and in the area sample from the OR reception area at concentrations of 0.69 and 0.65ppm, respectively. EtO levels ranged from 0.02 to 0.11ppm. The authors conclude that a hazard did exist specifically in relation to overexposures to N/sub 2/O, ethrane, and isoflurane.

• Research Organization: National Inst. for Occupational Safety and Health, Cincinnati, OH (USA)
• OSTI ID: 5675265
• Report Number(s): PB-88-125984/XAB; HETA-87-013-1803
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

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54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
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ANESTHETICS
INDOOR AIR POLLUTION
DISINFECTANTS
HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
HOSPITALS
OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY
AIR QUALITY
INDUSTRIAL MEDICINE
INHALATION
INSPECTION
TOXICITY
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ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY
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