Occupational exposure to inhaled anaesthetics: A follow-up study on anaesthetists of an eastern European university hospital

Background: Although no dose-response relationship for the health risks ass ociated with the occupational exposure to inhaled anaesthetics exists, publ ic health authorities recommend threshold values. The aim of the present st udy was to assess if and to what extent these threshold values are exceeded in an eastern European university hospital before and after measures had b een taken to reduce occupational exposure. Methods: At nine workplaces occupational exposure of anaesthetists to nitro us oxide and halothane or isoflurane was measured by means of photoacoustic infrared spectrometry. The measurements were carried out in 1996 and were repeated in 1997 after the installation of active scavenging devices at fiv e workplaces and an air-conditioning system at one workplace. Results: Occupational exposure to nitrous oxide and halothane or isoflurane was lower in 1997 compared to 1996. In 1997 most of the nitrous oxide valu es still exceeded the threshold value of 100 ppm, whereas most of the halot hane and isoflurane values were already below the threshold values of 5 ppm and 10 ppm in 1996. Conclusion: The measures taken were effective in reducing waste gas exposur e. Nevertheless, further efforts are necessary, especially for nitrous oxid e, to reach western European standards. These efforts comprise structural m easures such as active scavenging devices and air-conditioning systems at a ll workplaces, the use of total intravenous anaesthesia, low-flow anaesthes ia and an appropriate working technique.