Monitoring of Nitrous Oxide in Operating Rooms: Identification of Sources and Estimation of Occupational Exposure

Occupational exposure to sevoflurane and nitrous oxide in operating room personnel

“…The workplaces of the surgeon and anaesthetist, however, were within the main air flow, which probably explains why their mean concentrations, as well as the TWA values, were mainly under 2 ppm sevoflurane and 25 ppm N O, as opposed to those for the nurse. This finding is in accordance with the literature [2,12].…”

Exposure to anesthetic gases and congenital anomalies in offspring of female registered nurses

“…Exposures to healthcare personnel attending the patient can occur and have been a source of concern. Exposures exceeding United States National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health guidelines [NIOSH, 1997] of 25 ppm for nitrous oxide and 2 ppm for halogenated anesthetic gases have been reported in operating room personnel [Borm et al, 1990; Hoerauf et al, 1997; Gentili et al, 2004]. Similarly, post‐anesthetic care nurses have been found to be exposed to concentrations of isoflurane, desflurane, and nitrous oxide above the guidelines [Sessler and Badgwell, 1998; Krenzischek et al, 2002].…”

Critical appraisal of the provisional DSM-5 criteria for anorexia nervosa and an alternative proposal

“…Exposures to healthcare personnel attending the patient can occur and have been a source of concern. Exposures exceeding United States National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health guidelines [NIOSH, 1997] of 25 ppm for nitrous oxide and 2 ppm for halogenated anesthetic gases have been reported in operating room personnel [Borm et al, 1990; Hoerauf et al, 1997; Gentili et al, 2004]. Similarly, post‐anesthetic care nurses have been found to be exposed to concentrations of isoflurane, desflurane, and nitrous oxide above the guidelines [Sessler and Badgwell, 1998; Krenzischek et al, 2002].…”