Occupational Hazards of Halogenated Volatile Anesthetics and their Prevention: Review of the Literature

Molnár, Levente

doi:10.4172/2155-6148.1000426

Cited by 5 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 92 publications

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“…During the administration of inhalation anaesthetics, all staff in the operating room environment are exposed to the volatile compounds and are at risk of experiencing adverse effects to them (Tanko et al 2014). The Saudi Arabian Ministry of Health states that the inhaled anaesthetics that were used most commonly in 2014 were isoflurane and sevoflurane.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effect of inhaled anaesthetics gases on cytokines and oxidative stress alterations for the staff health status in hospitals

Alrasheedi

Alqasoumi

Emara

2021

Int Arch Occup Environ Health

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Objectives The present study aimed to evaluate the effects of waste anaesthetic gases on cytokines and oxidative stress of hospital health team members following exposure to waste anaesthetic gases (WAGs). Subjects and methods In total, 180 participants took part in this study; 60 of these were healthy male controls and the 120 participants in the intervention group were staff who work in the operating room. This latter group comprises six occupational subgroups (1) surgeons, (2) surgical assistants, (3) anaesthesiologists (4) anaesthesiology assistants, (5) nurses and (6) janitors. The following parameters were assessed: catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GSHpx) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities, plasma fluoride, serum interferon gamma (IFN-γ), serum interleukin 2 (IL2), serum interleukin 4 (IL4) and plasma thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS). Results Anaesthesiologists and their assistants exhibited the highest levels of plasma fluoride, serum IFN-γ and IL 2, exceeding the levels in detected in all the other occupational subgroups. Furthermore, the serum levels of IL4 were significantly raised in anaesthesiologists and the difference between this group and other groups was statistically significant. However, compared with the other subgroups, surgeons exhibited elevated plasma TBARS and reduced CAT, GSHpx and SOD; these variances were also statistically significant. Conclusion and recommendations The findings of this study indicate that operating room staff exposed to WAGs are vulnerable to experiencing immunotoxicity as the WAGs are considered to initiate oxidative stress and increase the levels of cytokines in serum. Thus, an education programme is warranted to inform staff working in environments where they may be subjected to WAGs on the effects that the gases can have upon their health and how to minimise their exposure to WAGs. An ongoing effort is also needed to ensure anaesthesia safety standards are maintained at all times. The findings of this study may provide a springboard for future research into occupational exposure to WAGs and their wider effect upon health.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effect of inhaled anaesthetics gases on cytokines and oxidative stress alterations for the staff health status in hospitals

Alrasheedi

Alqasoumi

Emara

2021

Int Arch Occup Environ Health

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“…This shortcoming, which, in principle, may suggest that a high exposure to inhalational anesthetics may be the cause of these problems, may also be indicative of poorly equipped operating rooms that would allow for overexposure to other teratogenic factors (radiation, sterilizing substances, etc.) that could be the real causes of these reproductive disorders due to the lack of adequate protection [ 28 , 29 , 38 , 39 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…One aspect to take into account is that most of the studies analyzing this problem were performed before the widespread application of gas extraction systems (scavenging systems). These systems would have considerably reduced the risk of overexposure to inhalational anesthetics in operating rooms and, therefore, their possible harmful effects on the health of pregnant healthcare professionals [ 28 , 29 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Occupational Exposure to Inhalational Anesthetics and Teratogenic Effects: A Systematic Review

et al. 2023

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(1) Background: In the current healthcare environment, there is a large proportion of female staff of childbearing age, so, according to existing conflicting studies, the teratogenic effects that inhalational anesthetics may have on exposed pregnant workers should be assessed. This investigation aims to analyze the teratogenic effects of inhalational anesthetics in conditions of actual use, determining any association with spontaneous abortion or congenital malformations. (2) Methods: A systematic review was carried out according to the PRISMA statement based on PICO (problem of interest–intervention to be considered–intervention compared–outcome) (Do inhalational anesthetics have teratogenic effects in current clinical practice?). The level of evidence of the selected articles was evaluated using the SIGN scale. The databases used were PubMed, Embase, Scopus, Web of Science, Google academic and Opengrey. Primary studies conducted in professionals exposed to inhalational anesthetics that evaluate spontaneous abortions or congenital malformations, conducted in any country and language and published within the last ten years were selected. (3) Results: Of the 541 studies identified, 6 met all inclusion criteria in answering the research question. Since many methodological differences were found in estimating exposure to inhalational anesthetics, a qualitative systematic review was performed. The selected studies have a retrospective cohort design and mostly present a low level of evidence and a low grade of recommendation. Studies with the highest level of evidence do not find an association between the use of inhalational anesthetics and the occurrence of miscarriage or congenital malformations. (4) Conclusions: The administration of inhalational anesthetics, especially with gas extraction systems (scavenging systems) and the adequate ventilation of operating rooms, is not associated with the occurrence of spontaneous abortions or congenital malformations.

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Brain DNA damaging effects of volatile anesthetics and 1 and 2 Gy gamma irradiation in vivo: Preliminary results

et al. 2023

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Although both can cause DNA damage, the combined impact of volatile anesthetics halothane/sevoflurane/isoflurane and radiotherapeutic exposure on sensitive brain cells in vivo has not been previously analyzed. Healthy Swiss albino male mice (240 in total, 48 groups) were exposed to either halothane/sevoflurane/isoflurane therapeutic doses alone (2 h); 1 or 2 gray of gamma radiation alone; or combined exposure. Frontal lobe brain samples from five animals were taken immediately and 2, 6, and 24 h after exposure. DNA damage and cellular repair index were analyzed using the alkaline comet assay and the tail intensity parameter. Elevated tail intensity levels for sevoflurane/halothane were the highest at 6 h and returned to baseline within 24 h for sevoflurane, but not for halothane, while isoflurane treatment caused lower tail intensity than control values. Combined exposure demonstrated a slightly halothane/sevoflurane protective and isoflurane protective effect, which was stronger for 2 than for 1 gray. Cellular repair indices and tail intensity histograms indicated different modes of action in DNA damage creation. Isoflurane/sevoflurane/halothane preconditioning demonstrated protective effects in sensitive brain cells in vivo. Owing to the constant increases in the combined use of radiotherapy and volatile anesthetics, further studies should explore the mechanisms behind these effects, including longer and multiple exposure treatments and in vivo brain tumor models.

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Occupational Hazards of Halogenated Volatile Anesthetics and their Prevention: Review of the Literature

Cited by 5 publications

References 92 publications

Effect of inhaled anaesthetics gases on cytokines and oxidative stress alterations for the staff health status in hospitals

Effect of inhaled anaesthetics gases on cytokines and oxidative stress alterations for the staff health status in hospitals

Occupational Exposure to Inhalational Anesthetics and Teratogenic Effects: A Systematic Review

Brain DNA damaging effects of volatile anesthetics and 1 and 2 Gy gamma irradiation in vivo: Preliminary results

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