Anevac-D, a new system for close scavenging of anesthetic gases in dental practice.
Anevac-D, a new system for close scavenging of anesthetic gases in dental practice is described. It consists of a rubber nose mask surrounded by an outer rigid shell and a chin scavenger. A vacuum in the slot between the nose masks provides scavenging of gases escaping from the inner mask. Gases escaping from the mouth are evacuated mainly by the skin scavenger. The efficiency of this system was assessed in healthy volunteers using argon as a tracer gas. Mass spectrometry was used for measurement of inspired, expired, and scavenged gas concentrations. The scavenging efficiency of the complete system was around 80% and was not affected by poor patient cooperation. It decreased to about 65% when the chin scavenger was removed. The dentist's exposure was measured by sampling of argon in the breathing zone by a Saran system. The average 4-min exposure varied between 90 and 250 ppm depending on system configuration and patient cooperation. Patient acceptance and clinical applicability were judged good. It is concluded that the Anevac-D system provides excellent scavenging properties and exposure levels well within the official recommendations by the Swedish Board of Occupational Safety and Health.
Andersson-Wenckert
I
I
Department of Pedodontics, University of Umeå, Sweden.
Häggmark
S
S
Johansson
G
G
Lindkvist
R
R
Reiz
S
S
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000395:Air Pollutants, Occupational / Q000032:analysis; D000766:Anesthesia, Dental / Q000295:instrumentation*; D000769:Anesthesia, Inhalation / Q000295:instrumentation*; D001128:Argon / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000032:analysis; D002648:Child; D004781:Environmental Exposure; D004867:Equipment Design; D015920:Gas Scavengers; D006801:Humans; D008397:Masks; D013058:Mass Spectrometry; D009609:Nitrous Oxide / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000032:analysis; D012119:Respiration
D000395:Air Pollutants, Occupational; D001128:Argon; D009609:Nitrous Oxide