Hazard Evaluation and Technical Assistance Report No. TA-77-59, St. Luke's Hospital, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania

摘要

Environmental and personal air samples were analyzed for nitrous-oxide (10024972) and halogenated anesthetic at St. Luke's Hospital (SIC-8062), in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, on September 27 to 29, 1977. The evaluation was requested by management on behalf of an unspecified number of workers in the operating and recovery room areas. Anesthesiologists were exposed to an average of 100 parts per million (ppm) of nitrous-oxide and 3.8ppm of halogenated anesthetic. Nurses were exposed to an average of 1.4ppm halogenated anesthetic. The NIOSH recommended standard for nitrous-oxide and halogenated anesthetic is 25 and 0.5ppm, respectively. The author concludes that a health hazard from nitrous-oxide and halogenated anesthetic exists at this hospital. He recommends the use of scavenging equipment, regular maintenance of anesthetic equipment, and personal hygiene practices.