[Halothane concentration inhaled by anesthesiologists during anesthesia through face masks].
Exposure to low concentrations of anesthetics is still an important medical concern. We measured halothane concentrations in air inspired by anesthesiologists practicing inhalational anesthesia through face masks (10 cases, 200 sampling points). Halothane concentrations were 0 to 15 ppm (mean 4.89 ppm), higher than the safety level recommended by National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NISOH). However, these concentrations were clearly low in a room air-conditioned with vertical laminar flow providing total air exchange rate of 30 per hour (0.55 +/- 0.53 ppm, n = 40) compared to those in the rooms with horizontal laminar flow of 25 (5.98 +/- 3.80 ppm, n = 80, P < 0.001). These observations indicate the importance of ventilation systems of operating rooms for avoiding anesthetic gas exposure to anesthesiologists during inhalational anesthesia through face masks.
Kojima
Y
Y
Department of Anesthesiology and Resuscitology, Shinshu University School of Medicine, Matsumoto.
D000769:Anesthesia, Inhalation; D000776:Anesthesiology; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D006221:Halothane; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008452:Maximum Allowable Concentration; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000517:prevention & control; D012134:Respiratory Protective Devices; D014691:Ventilation
D006221:Halothane