RESUMO
This study aimed to assess immunohematological changes and cytogenetic risk in 27 theater personnel using unscavenged technique. They included nine anesthetists, nine nurses and nine technicians compared with ten non-exposed control subjects of matched age, sex and smoking status. Their exposure in terms of duration of occupation ranged from 16 months to 17 years. The study revealed no role of smoking on the induction of higher frequency of CA in the control or exposed subjects. Similarly, females exposed to inhalation waste anesthetics showed a higher insignificant increase in the frequency of total CA compared with exposed males. These findings indicated numerous immunohematological changes and the possible risk of cytogenetic damage for theater personnel working in unscavenged room and indicated that careful measures should be taken to minimize the risk of exposure