Does chronic occupational exposure to volatile anesthetic agents influencethe rate of neutrophil apoptosis?

Purpose: The purpose of this preliminary investigation was to determine whe ther the rate of neutrophil apoptosis in health care workers is influenced by exposure to volatile anesthetic agents. Methods: Percentage neutrophil apoptosis (Annexin-V FITC assay) was measure d in health care workers (n = 20) and unexposed volunteers (n = 10). For th e health care workers, time weighted personal exposure monitoring to N2O, s evoflurane and isoflurane was carried out. Results: The sevoflurane and isoflurane concentrations to which health care workers were exposed were less than recommended levels in all 20 cases. Pe rcent apoptosis was less at 24 (but not at one and 12) hr culture in health care workers (50;5 (9.7)%; P = 0.008) than in unexposed volunteers {57.3 ( 5.1)%}. Conclusion: Inhibition of neutrophil apoptosis at 24 hr culture was demonst rated in health care workers chronically exposed to volatile anesthetic age nts. Exposure was well below recommended levels in the both scavenged and u nscavenged work areas in which the study was carried out. Further study is required to assess the effect of greater degrees of chronic exposure to vol atile anesthetic agents on neutrophil apoptosis.