Occupational exposure to inhaled anesthetic. Is it a concern for pregnant women?
OBJECTIVE
Two of my pregnant patients are exposed to inhaled anesthetic on the job. One is an anesthetist, and the other is a veterinarian. They have both expressed concern about this exposure. How should I advise them?


CONCLUSIONS
Occupational exposure to waste anesthetic gas is not associated with increased risk of major malformations. Risk of spontaneous abortion might be slightly increased, however. This risk can be reduced, if not eliminated, by good gas scavenging systems.
Shuhaiber
S
S
Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto.
Koren
G
G
D000022:Abortion, Spontaneous / Q000139:chemically induced; D000395:Air Pollutants, Occupational / Q000009:adverse effects*; D016902:Air Pollution, Indoor / Q000517:prevention & control; D000776:Anesthesiology; D018685:Anesthetics, Inhalation / Q000009:adverse effects*; D016001:Confidence Intervals; D005260:Female; D015920:Gas Scavengers; D006801:Humans; D009609:Nitrous Oxide / Q000009:adverse effects; D016273:Occupational Exposure; D016017:Odds Ratio; D011247:Pregnancy; D012307:Risk Factors; D014730:Veterinary Medicine
D000395:Air Pollutants, Occupational; D018685:Anesthetics, Inhalation; D009609:Nitrous Oxide