title: Application of predictive models for estimation of health care workers exposure to sevoflurane.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to assess the potential use of predictive models to estimate professional exposure to chemicals in the workplace, such as the operating room, by simultaneous determination of the levels of exposure using a model and measurements.
  
  
  METHODS
  Measurements included determinations of sevoflurane (SEV) in the workplace air of 117 operating rooms of 31 hospitals in one Polish region. Measurements were carried out at the time of various surgical procedures during administration of anaesthetics by endotracheal intubation. The measurement results were compared with the values estimated using two models: ECETOC TRA and Stoffenmanager.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In one case the ECETOC TRA estimated the exposure concentration almost equal to the measured concentration but, because of the need to maintain a margin of safety in case of modelling, it can be concluded that the model underestimated the concentration. The Stoffenmanager model provided accurate exposure estimates in the examined case, and it can be used as a screening tool for the assessment of occupational inhalation exposure of medical personnel to anaesthetics.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results are of particular importance to the circumstances in Eastern Europe, where the levels of anaesthetics often exceed the relevant occupational exposure limits.
authors.affiliation: a Nofer Institute of Occupational Medicine (NIOM) , Poland.
authors.forename: Agnieszka
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Jankowska
authors.affiliation: a Nofer Institute of Occupational Medicine (NIOM) , Poland.
authors.forename: Sławomir
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Czerczak
authors.affiliation: a Nofer Institute of Occupational Medicine (NIOM) , Poland.
authors.forename: Małgorzata
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kucharska
authors.affiliation: a Nofer Institute of Occupational Medicine (NIOM) , Poland.
authors.forename: Wiktor
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Wesołowski
authors.affiliation: a Nofer Institute of Occupational Medicine (NIOM) , Poland.
authors.forename: Piotr
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Maciaszek
authors.affiliation: a Nofer Institute of Occupational Medicine (NIOM) , Poland.
authors.forename: Małgorzata
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kupczewska-Dobecka
mesh_terms: D018685:Anesthetics, Inhalation; D002849:Chromatography, Gas; D004784:Environmental Monitoring; D006801:Humans; D019570:Inhalation Exposure; D008738:Methyl Ethers; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000032:analysis*; D009873:Operating Rooms; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D018570:Risk Assessment; D000077149:Sevoflurane
chemical_list: D018685:Anesthetics, Inhalation; D008738:Methyl Ethers; D000077149:Sevoflurane
keywords: ECETOC TRA; Stoffenmanager; exposure assessment; sevoflurane