Health-hazard evaluation report No. HETA-88-258-1941, University Hospital, Denver, Colorado. [Halothane, ethrane, isoflurane, and N/sub 2/O]

Technical Report · Thu Dec 01 04:00:00 EST 1988

OSTI ID:5725992

Gunter, B; Daniels, W

In response to a request from the University Hospital, Denver, Colorado, an evaluation was made of possible hazardous working conditions at this site. Particular attention was given to waste anesthetic gases and vapors in the surgical operating rooms and in the recovery room. In 19 personal samples the time weighted average concentrations of nitrous oxide (N/sub 2/0) ranged from less than the limit of detection to 77 parts per million (ppm) with a mean concentration of 17 ppm. The NIOSH recommended limit of 25 ppm was exceeded in five of 19 samples. Personal breathing samples were collected and sampled for halothane, ethrane, and isoflurane. Halothane was detected in seven of 24 samples ranging from 0.09 to 1.6 ppm. The NIOSH recommended limit for halothane of 0.5 ppm was exceeded in three samples. Ethrane was detected in five samples at 0.06 to 1.5 ppm concentration levels, with two exceeding the NIOSH limit of 0.5 ppm. Isoflurane was detected in six samples, ranging from 0.06 to 0.99 ppm, with three samples exceeding the NIOSH limit of 0.5 ppm. The authors conclude that a hazard existed from exposure to anesthetic gases and vapors during some of the procedures. Detailed recommendations regarding specific control procedures, work practices, and monitoring procedures were made.

• Research Organization: National Inst. for Occupational Safety and Health, Cincinnati, OH (USA)
• OSTI ID: 5725992
• Report Number(s): PB-89-188064/XAB; HETA-88-258-1941
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

500200* -- Environment
Atmospheric-- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport-- (-1989)
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
552000 -- Public Health
99 GENERAL AND MISCELLANEOUS
AIR POLLUTION
ANESTHETICS
BUILDINGS
CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM DEPRESSANTS
CHALCOGENIDES
DRUGS
ENGINEERING
FLUIDS
GASES
HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
HOSPITALS
INDOOR AIR POLLUTION
INDUSTRIAL MEDICINE
INSPECTION
MATERIALS
MEDICAL ESTABLISHMENTS
MEDICAL PERSONNEL
MEDICINE
NITROGEN COMPOUNDS
NITROGEN OXIDES
NITROUS OXIDE
OCCUPATIONAL EXPOSURE
OXIDES
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PERSONNEL
POLLUTION
SAFETY ENGINEERING
SURVEYS
TOXICITY
VAPORS