Waste anesthetic gas exposures to veterinarians and animal technicians

Journal Article · Sun Feb 15 00:00:00 EST 1981 · J. Am. Vet. Med. Assoc.; (United States)

OSTI ID:5730896

Wingfield, W E; Ruby, D L; Buchan, R M; Gunther, B J

A survey of veterinarians was conducted in an 11-county region of eastern Colorado to determine the extent of usage of inhalation anesthetics and to measure exposures of veterinarians and their assistants to waste anesthetic gases. The survey indicated that inhalation anesthetics were used in 80.8% of the 210 practices. Exposures to waste anesthetics in veterinary practices were far less than reported in human hospitals. Waste anesthetic concentrations were affected by size of the patient, type of breathing system, and use of scavenging systems. Dilution ventilation had no effect on breathing zone concentrations. The endotracheal tube and occasionally the anesthetic machine were the major sources of leakage of anesthetic gases.

• OSTI ID: 5730896
• Journal Information: J. Am. Vet. Med. Assoc.; (United States), Vol. 178:4
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
99 GENERAL AND MISCELLANEOUS//MATHEMATICS, COMPUTING, AND INFORMATION SCIENCE
ANESTHETICS
LEAKS
VETERINARY MEDICINE
OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY
AIR CLEANING SYSTEMS
AIR POLLUTION
INHALATION
MEDICAL PERSONNEL
CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM DEPRESSANTS
DRUGS
ENGINEERED SAFETY SYSTEMS
INTAKE
MEDICINE
PERSONNEL
POLLUTION
SAFETY
560306* - Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology- Man- (-1987)
552000 - Public Health