Health Hazard Evaluation Report HETA 86-280-1788, Veterans Administration Medical Center, Ann Arbor, Michigan

摘要

An environmental survey was conducted at the Veterans Administration Medical Center (SIC-8062), Ann Arbor, Michigan, because of concerns regarding the adequacy of the anesthetic gas scavenging system used in the fourth floor Surgery Service. In the four operating rooms where general anesthesia was being administered, area and personal air samples were analyzed for nitrous-oxide (10024972) (NO2) and halogenated anesthetic agents. Three of five samples exceeded the NIOSH recommended exposure limit (REL) of 25 parts per million (ppm). Isoflurane (26675467) ranged from less than the limit of detection to 0.77ppm. The 0.5ppm REL for halogenated anesthetic compounds used with NO2 was exceeded by one of three samples. Some of the high levels were caused by the malfunction of an anesthesia cart during one procedure. Background levels of NO2 in two operating rooms where the agent was not in use averaged 2ppm and 5ppm, with one excursion to 53ppm. The author concludes that a potential exists for overexposure to nitrous-oxide and halogenated anesthetic agents for workers in the surgery service. The author recommends a comprehensive program for control procedures, work practices, monitoring procedures, and medical surveillance.