Exposure to Waste Anesthetic Gases Throughout Surgical Interventions: A Case Study in a Portuguese Local Health Unit
The accumulation of anesthetic gas residues in surgery units can pose health risks to healthcare professionals, highlighting the need to establish effective protection measures. This study evaluated waste anesthetic gas levels in a local health unit in northern Portugal to identify high-exposure are...
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MDPI AG
2024-12-01
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| Series: | Atmosphere |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4433/15/12/1521 |
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| author | Leiddi Leal Vanessa Yamanaka Ermelinda Pereira Joseane Theodoro Maria de Fátima Domingues Isabel Fernandes Marta Fonseca Gabriel Manuel Feliciano |
| author_facet | Leiddi Leal Vanessa Yamanaka Ermelinda Pereira Joseane Theodoro Maria de Fátima Domingues Isabel Fernandes Marta Fonseca Gabriel Manuel Feliciano |
| author_sort | Leiddi Leal |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The accumulation of anesthetic gas residues in surgery units can pose health risks to healthcare professionals, highlighting the need to establish effective protection measures. This study evaluated waste anesthetic gas levels in a local health unit in northern Portugal to identify high-exposure areas during surgeries using general anesthesia. Measurements of desflurane, sevoflurane, carbon dioxide, air temperature, and relative humidity were taken during 20 surgeries carried out over approximately six months. The results showed that the thermal conditions were not adequately controlled, particularly the relative humidity levels. The detected WAG concentrations fluctuated across different locations, with concerning peaks being detected in specific settings. Desflurane levels reached 8.79 ppm in the general surgery room (GSR) and averaged 3.13 ppm in the recovery room (RR), while the sevoflurane levels averaged 2.06 ppm in the RR. High concentrations exceeding the recommendations of the U.S. National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) were notably observed after endotracheal tube removal. In short surgeries, anesthetic gas levels exceeded safety limits, while long surgeries caused peaks in sevoflurane levels. Longer surgeries and higher occupancy were significantly linked to increased levels of WAG and carbon dioxide, emphasizing the need to improve ventilation and environmental controls to safeguard healthcare professionals. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-55a1745f12c248c6909f0a428680b4cd |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 2073-4433 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2024-12-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
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| series | Atmosphere |
| spelling | doaj-art-55a1745f12c248c6909f0a428680b4cd2025-08-20T02:01:05ZengMDPI AGAtmosphere2073-44332024-12-011512152110.3390/atmos15121521Exposure to Waste Anesthetic Gases Throughout Surgical Interventions: A Case Study in a Portuguese Local Health UnitLeiddi Leal0Vanessa Yamanaka1Ermelinda Pereira2Joseane Theodoro3Maria de Fátima Domingues4Isabel Fernandes5Marta Fonseca Gabriel6Manuel Feliciano7CIMO, LA SusTEC, Instituto Politécnico de Bragança, Campus de Santa Apolónia, 5300-253 Bragança, PortugalCIMO, LA SusTEC, Instituto Politécnico de Bragança, Campus de Santa Apolónia, 5300-253 Bragança, PortugalCIMO, LA SusTEC, Instituto Politécnico de Bragança, Campus de Santa Apolónia, 5300-253 Bragança, PortugalCâmpus Londrina, Universidade Tecnológica Federal do Paraná, Avenida dos Pioneiros, 3131 Jardim Morumbi, Londrina 86036-370, PR, BrazilUnidade Local de Saúde do Nordeste, Bragança (ULSNE), Avenida Abade de Baçal, 5301-852 Bragança, PortugalUnidade Local de Saúde do Nordeste, Bragança (ULSNE), Avenida Abade de Baçal, 5301-852 Bragança, PortugalLAETA-INEGI, Associated Laboratory for Energy and Aeronautics, Institute of Science and Innovation in Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, Rua Dr. Roberto Frias 400, 4200-465 Porto, PortugalCIMO, LA SusTEC, Instituto Politécnico de Bragança, Campus de Santa Apolónia, 5300-253 Bragança, PortugalThe accumulation of anesthetic gas residues in surgery units can pose health risks to healthcare professionals, highlighting the need to establish effective protection measures. This study evaluated waste anesthetic gas levels in a local health unit in northern Portugal to identify high-exposure areas during surgeries using general anesthesia. Measurements of desflurane, sevoflurane, carbon dioxide, air temperature, and relative humidity were taken during 20 surgeries carried out over approximately six months. The results showed that the thermal conditions were not adequately controlled, particularly the relative humidity levels. The detected WAG concentrations fluctuated across different locations, with concerning peaks being detected in specific settings. Desflurane levels reached 8.79 ppm in the general surgery room (GSR) and averaged 3.13 ppm in the recovery room (RR), while the sevoflurane levels averaged 2.06 ppm in the RR. High concentrations exceeding the recommendations of the U.S. National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) were notably observed after endotracheal tube removal. In short surgeries, anesthetic gas levels exceeded safety limits, while long surgeries caused peaks in sevoflurane levels. Longer surgeries and higher occupancy were significantly linked to increased levels of WAG and carbon dioxide, emphasizing the need to improve ventilation and environmental controls to safeguard healthcare professionals.https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4433/15/12/1521indoor airsevofluranedesfluraneoccupational safetygeneral anesthesiacircular anesthesia system |
| spellingShingle | Leiddi Leal Vanessa Yamanaka Ermelinda Pereira Joseane Theodoro Maria de Fátima Domingues Isabel Fernandes Marta Fonseca Gabriel Manuel Feliciano Exposure to Waste Anesthetic Gases Throughout Surgical Interventions: A Case Study in a Portuguese Local Health Unit Atmosphere indoor air sevoflurane desflurane occupational safety general anesthesia circular anesthesia system |
| title | Exposure to Waste Anesthetic Gases Throughout Surgical Interventions: A Case Study in a Portuguese Local Health Unit |
| title_full | Exposure to Waste Anesthetic Gases Throughout Surgical Interventions: A Case Study in a Portuguese Local Health Unit |
| title_fullStr | Exposure to Waste Anesthetic Gases Throughout Surgical Interventions: A Case Study in a Portuguese Local Health Unit |
| title_full_unstemmed | Exposure to Waste Anesthetic Gases Throughout Surgical Interventions: A Case Study in a Portuguese Local Health Unit |
| title_short | Exposure to Waste Anesthetic Gases Throughout Surgical Interventions: A Case Study in a Portuguese Local Health Unit |
| title_sort | exposure to waste anesthetic gases throughout surgical interventions a case study in a portuguese local health unit |
| topic | indoor air sevoflurane desflurane occupational safety general anesthesia circular anesthesia system |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4433/15/12/1521 |
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