Genotoxicity of waste anaesthetic gases.
OBJECTIVE
The possibility of a potential mutagenic or carcinogenic action of chronic exposure to low concentrations of inhalational anaesthetics has been previously studied, with conflicting results. The purpose of this study was to assess whether occupational exposure to waste anaesthetic gases increases genotoxic risk. We examined peripheral lymphocytes from anaesthetists for both sister chromatid exchange (SCE) and for cells with high-frequency SCEs (HFCs).


METHODS
A group of 16 non-smoking anaesthetists with occupational exposure to anaesthetic gases and a sex- and age-matched group matched 16 non-smoking matched physicians without occupational exposure to anaesthetic gases were studied. The participants were also selected on the basis of similar responses to a questionnaire assessing risk of genotoxicity relating to other aspects of life.


RESULTS
SCEs, and HFC percentages obtained from the exposed anaesthetists (6.6+/-2.4 and 12.2+/-15.9) were greater but not statistically significantly so than in the reference group (5.2+/-1.6 and 5.9+/-10.0).


CONCLUSIONS
This study does not support the existence of an association between occupational exposure to waste anaesthetic gases and an increase in SCEs in lymphocytes. The nature of our anaesthesia practice suggests exposure was likely to be low. It should be noted that some anaesthetic gases produce lesions that can be efficiently repaired in mitogen-stimulated lymphocytes in vitro but not in circulating lymphocytes.
Bozkurt
G
G
Department of Medical Genetics, Medical Faculty, Trakya University, Edime, Turkey.
Memis
D
D
Karabogaz
G
G
Pamukcu
Z
Z
Ture
M
M
Karamanlioglu
B
B
Gunday
I
I
Algunes
C
C
D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000395:Air Pollutants, Occupational / Q000009:adverse effects*; D000776:Anesthesiology / Q000379:methods; D018685:Anesthetics, Inhalation / Q000009:adverse effects*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D004784:Environmental Monitoring; D005260:Female; D006221:Halothane / Q000009:adverse effects; D006801:Humans; D007530:Isoflurane / Q000009:adverse effects; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000502:physiology; D008297:Male; D008452:Maximum Allowable Concentration; D008738:Methyl Ethers / Q000009:adverse effects; D009152:Mutagenicity Tests; D009873:Operating Rooms; D011336:Probability; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors; D000077149:Sevoflurane; D017678:Sex Distribution; D012854:Sister Chromatid Exchange / Q000187:drug effects*; D012907:Smoking / Q000009:adverse effects*
D000395:Air Pollutants, Occupational; D018685:Anesthetics, Inhalation; D008738:Methyl Ethers; D000077149:Sevoflurane; D007530:Isoflurane; D006221:Halothane