Health-hazard evaluation report HETA 86-277-1750, Project Orbis, Inc. , New York, New York. [Ethylene oxide et al]

Technical Report · Sat Nov 01 00:00:00 EST 1986

OSTI ID:6481592

Boiano, J M

In response to a request from the nurse administrator of Project Orbis, Inc., New York, New York, exposures to anesthetics and ethylene oxide were evaluated aboard the aircraft used as a teaching eye hospital. Each mission involved about 20 staff members. Anesthetics included nitrous oxide, halothane, and isoflurane. Ethylene oxide was used for equipment sterilization. Breathing-zone and general air samples were collected, and analytical methods included gas chromatography, spectrophotometry, and adsorbent-based dosimetry. Recovery-room nurses were overexposed to nitrous oxide (up to 79ppm) and isoflurane (0.96ppm) from patients. The author concludes that anesthetic exposures are excessive, and ethylene oxide exposure is a potential risk. Recommendations include engineering controls to limit anesthetic exposure, and good sterilization work practices.

• Research Organization: National Inst. for Occupational Safety and Health, Cincinnati, OH (USA)
• OSTI ID: 6481592
• Report Number(s): PB-87-187837/XAB; HETA-86-277-1750
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
99 GENERAL AND MISCELLANEOUS//MATHEMATICS, COMPUTING, AND INFORMATION SCIENCE
ANESTHETICS
INDOOR AIR POLLUTION
HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
MEDICAL ESTABLISHMENTS
OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY
INDUSTRIAL MEDICINE
INSPECTION
MEDICAL PERSONNEL
TOXICITY
AIR POLLUTION
CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM DEPRESSANTS
DRUGS
MATERIALS
MEDICINE
PERSONNEL
POLLUTION
SAFETY
500200* - Environment
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552000 - Public Health