title: Waste anaesthetic gases induce sister chromatid exchanges in lymphocytes of operating room personnel.
abstract: Genotoxicity related to waste anaesthetic gas exposure is controversial. We have investigated the frequency of sister chromatid exchanges in peripheral lymphocytes of operating room personnel exposed to trace concentrations of isoflurane and nitrous oxide. Occupational exposure was recorded using a direct reading instrument. Frequencies of sister chromatid exchanges were measured in lymphocyte cultures of 27 non-smokers working in the operating room and 27 non-smoking controls. Personnel were exposed to an 8-h time-weighted average of nitrous oxide 11.8 ppm and isoflurane 0.5 ppm. After exposure, sister chromatid exchange frequency was increased significantly (mean 9.0 (SD 1.3) vs 8.0 (1.4) in exposed and control personnel, respectively) (P < 0.05). We conclude that exposure to even trace concentrations of waste anaesthetic gases may cause genetic damage comparable with smoking 11-20 cigarettes per day.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anaesthesia and General Intensive Care (B), University of Vienna, Austria.
authors.forename: K H
authors.initials: KH
authors.lastname: Hoerauf
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Wiesner
authors.forename: K F
authors.initials: KF
authors.lastname: Schroegendorfer
authors.forename: B P
authors.initials: BP
authors.lastname: Jobst
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Spacek
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Harth
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sator-Katzenschlager
authors.forename: H W
authors.initials: HW
authors.lastname: Rüdiger
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000395:Air Pollutants, Occupational / Q000494:pharmacology; D018685:Anesthetics, Inhalation / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005260:Female; D005858:Germany; D006801:Humans; D007530:Isoflurane / Q000494:pharmacology; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000187:drug effects*; D008297:Male; D008505:Medical Staff, Hospital; D008875:Middle Aged; D009609:Nitrous Oxide / Q000494:pharmacology; D016273:Occupational Exposure; D009873:Operating Rooms; D012854:Sister Chromatid Exchange
chemical_list: D000395:Air Pollutants, Occupational; D018685:Anesthetics, Inhalation; D007530:Isoflurane; D009609:Nitrous Oxide