title: [Evaluation of occupational exposure to inhalation anesthetics. Study Group on Environmental Monitoring, Biological Monitoring and Laboratory Surveillance in Lombardia].
abstract: A group of Occupational Medicine researchers in Lombardia prepared a document about the problems of occupational exposure to inhalation anaesthetics referring to the Meeting "Occupational Hazard from Inhalation Anaesthetics. Monitoring and Prevention". (Pavia, May 1988). A survey in 111 operating theatres and 11 hospitals showed high anaesthetics pollution and allowed to find its main causes. On the basis of this survey the authors were able to indicate the methods to control the exposure, both by determining the polluting agents in working environment, and by using the internal dose biological monitoring. For the exposure monitoring the authors suggest determining nitrous oxide (N2O) in various sites of the operating rooms, in the operators respiratory zone and/or in single workers' urine at the end of the work-shift. The environmental and/or biological measurement of nitrous oxide also indicated the pollution due to other inhalation anesthetics used at the same time. The authors also make suggestions about the methods and timing of environmental and biological monitoring and health surveillance.
mesh_terms: D000395:Air Pollutants, Occupational / Q000032:analysis*; D004781:Environmental Exposure; D004784:Environmental Monitoring / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D007558:Italy; D009609:Nitrous Oxide / Q000032:analysis* / Q000652:urine; D009873:Operating Rooms / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*
chemical_list: D000395:Air Pollutants, Occupational; D009609:Nitrous Oxide
vernacular_title: Valutazione dell'esposizione professionale ad anestetici per inalazione. Gruppo di studio per il monitoraggio ambientale, per il monitoraggio biologico e per la sorveglianza dei lavoratori in Lombardia.