GENERAL-ANESTHESIA AND THE ENVIRONMENT

Theatre pollution by anaesthetic agents has been the subject of consid erable study and discussion, However the environmental effects of thes e agents has received little attention, In this paper we review the en vironmental effects of anaesthetic agents. Volatile anaesthetic agents such as halothane, isoflurane, and enflurane would appear to have min imal atmospheric polluting potential. Nitrous oxide however is a green house gas and can also indirectly contribute to ozone layer depletion, We would suggest that the continued use of nitrous oxide in large qua ntities must be viewed with concern.