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The anesthetic gases and vapors that leak into the
surrounding room during medical procedures are considered waste anesthetic gases.
It is estimated that more than 250,000 health care professionals who work in hospitals, operating rooms,
dental offices and veterinary clinics, are potentially exposed to waste anesthetic gases
and are at risk of occupational illness. The waste anesthetic gases and vapors of concern
are nitrous oxide and halogenated agents (vapors) such as halothane, enflurane,
isoflurane, and desflurane. Some potential effects of
exposure to waste anesthetic gases are nausea, dizziness, headaches, fatigue,
and irritability, as well as sterility, miscarriages, birth defects, cancer,
and liver and kidney disease, among operating room staff or their spouses (in
the case of miscarriages and birth defects). Employers and employees should be
aware of the potential effects and be advised to take
appropriate precautions.
The following questions link to information relevant to waste anesthetic gases in the workplace.
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