Occupational exposure of medical professionals to some anaesthetics in Egypt I environmental studies

ABSTRACT

The present study was conducted in all the operating rooms [O.Rs.] of Alexandria University hospitals to assess the magnitude of the problem of their pollution by halothane and N[2] O anaesthetics, to study the factors affecting pollution, and to propose corrective measures. The pollutants were measured at standard locations in each O.R. by an I.R. spectrophotometer. Results showed that the O.R. personnel are exposed to extremely high levels of pollutants; the anaesthetists had the highest exposure followed by the surgeons then the nurses. The levels of pollutants did not vary in the different climatic seasons. Exposures were significantly lower when a properly functioning [to-and-fro] closed system was used, but not an old leaky one; the cuffed endotracheal tube produced less pollution than the face mask, and the spontaneous ventilation produced significantly lower pollution than other tested modes of patient's ventilation. Also, controlled O.R. ventilation significantly reduces pollution. It was recommended to control exposure by avoidance of release of anaesthetics into O.R. atmosphere by proper selection, maintenance and operation of anaesthetic equipment and application of careful anaesthetic techniques to prevent leakages and spillages, provision of scavenging systems to existing anaesthetic machines, provision of controlled O.R. ventilation, and implementing air monitoring program