Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in electrocautery smoke during peritonectomy procedures.
OBJECTIVE
This study identified and quantified polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in electrocautery smoke during 40 peritonectomy procedures and investigated any correlations and/or differences between levels of PAHs and perioperative variables.


METHODS
PAHs were measured in personal and stationary sampling by 40 mm Millipore cassettes, for adsorption of both gaseous and particle-bound PAHs. Results. All 16 USEPA priority pollutant PAHs were detected during peritonectomy procedures, naphthalene being the most abundant. For the only two PAHs with Swedish occupational exposure limits (OELs), benzo[a]pyrene and naphthalene, limits were never exceeded. Amount of bleeding was the only perioperative variable that correlated with levels of PAHs.


CONCLUSIONS
Low levels of PAHs were detected in electrocautery smoke during peritonectomy procedures, and an increased amount of bleeding correlated with higher levels of PAHs. For evaluation of long-term health effects, more studies are needed.
Department of Surgical Sciences, Uppsala University Hospital, 751 85 Uppsala, Sweden. sara.naslund.andreasson@surgsci.uu.se
Sara
S
Näslund Andréasson
Haile
H
Mahteme
Bo
B
Sahlberg
Helena
H
Anundi
D000395:Air Pollutants, Occupational / Q000032:analysis*; D001063:Appendiceal Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery; D016063:Blood Loss, Surgical; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery; D004564:Electrocoagulation / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004784:Environmental Monitoring / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009281:Naphthalenes / Q000032:analysis; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000032:analysis*; D010051:Ovarian Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery; D010529:Peritoneal Cavity / Q000601:surgery; D010534:Peritoneal Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery; D011084:Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons / Q000032:analysis*; D011553:Pseudomyxoma Peritonei / Q000601:surgery; D012307:Risk Factors; D012906:Smoke / Q000032:analysis*
D000395:Air Pollutants, Occupational; D009281:Naphthalenes; D011084:Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons; D012906:Smoke; C031721:naphthalene