Occupational Disease in Dentistry and Chronic Exposure to Trace Anesthetic Gases

Occupational exposure to sevoflurane and nitrous oxide in operating room personnel

“…Current scientific evidence has led to the assumption that chronic exposure to trace concentrations of inhaled anaesthetics may result in various forms of unfavourable health responses [3,4,10,17]. These suggestions are based mainly on epidemiological studies.…”

“…Intermittent mask ventilation with sevoflurane and/or N O was not performed. 4. Cuff pressure was kept within 20-30 cm H O, so that unnoticed pressure loss could not occur.…”

“…Occupational exposure to trace concentrations of inhaled anesthetics may result in various forms of unfavourable health response [3,4,10,17]. Although no cause-effect relationship has been established, the U.S. and most European public health authorities recommend threshold values (Table 1) to minimize possible health risks [1,5,11].…”

Occupational exposure to sevoflurane during sedation of adult patients

“…Since 1971, many studies concerning waste-anesthetic gases have indicated that occupational exposure to unscavenged waste-anesthetic gases is associated with adverse eects in health-care workers [3,4,6,15]. In contrast, other studies have failed to identify a statistically signi®cant correlation [9,17,18].…”

Health hazard evaluation report: HETA-2005-0157-3110, assessment of nitrous oxide exposure in a pediatric dentistry, children's dentistry at Hamilton Mill, Dacula, Georgia.

“…Human studies have reported a higher than expected incidence of spontaneous abortions among female workers directly exposed to N 2 O and other anesthetic gases [Cohen et al 1975]. Other studies suggest the incidence of congenital abnormalities and spontaneous abortion is slightly higher in the offspring of wives of exposed dentists, as well as reduced fertility in women occupationally exposed [Cohen et al 1980;Rowland et al 1992]. It has also been suggested that mood factors (sleepiness, mental tiredness, etc.)…”