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Document ID (ISN)62221
CIS number 94-982
ISSN - Serial title 1775-8785 - Archives des maladies professionnelles
Year 1993
Convention or series no.
Author(s) Ganière-Monteil C., Pineau A., Souron R., Boiteau H.L.
Title Halothane and enflurane in operating rooms: Exposure and preventive safety measures
Original title Halothane et enflurane dans les blocs opératoires: exposition et prévention [in French]
Bibliographic information 1993, Vol.54, No.7, p.563-568. Illus. 13 ref.
Abstract The risk of intoxication due to the exposure of medical staff to volatile anaesthetics in operating blocks is still little known. Some studies show chromosomal aberrations in exposed staff, leading to a significantly increased risk of spontaneous abortion, while other studies conclude that there is no risk. Clearly there is a need for close monitoring of exposed staff. Measurements of levels of exposure were carried out in two operating blocks in a French teaching hospital: one in ophthalmology and the other in oto-rhino-laryngology (ORL). Accurate interpretation of the results is difficult because of the variations in maximum exposure levels from one country to another, but the staff is exposed, on certain days, to quite high levels. Levels of exposure to halothane were classified according to the presence or absence of anti-pollution systems. The very much higher levels recorded in the latter case (average: 10.4ppm; n=20) compared with the former (average: 2.8ppm; n=25) demonstrate how essential it is to have anti-pollution systems for the protection of exposed staff.
Descriptors (primary) halothane; inhalation anaesthetics; hospitals; operating theatres; limitation of exposure; ethrane
Descriptors (secondary) threshold limit values; toxicology; safety and health engineering; exposure; exhaust ventilation; exposure evaluation; determination in air; ventilation
Document type D - Periodical articles
Country / State or ProvinceFrance
Subject(s) Commerce, services, offices
Broad subject area(s) Chemical safety
Browse category(ies) Health care services
Halogenated hydrocarbons
Ethers