Nitrous oxide in 50% O2/N2O mixture for pain management: Occupational exposure levels and prevention in a French hospital
| Autor: | Didier Aoustin, Gabriela Caetano, Benedicte Delevoye, Eric Jean, Marianne Guillemot, Annabelle Guilleux, Jean Passeron, Emmanuel Jouve, Eddy Langlois |
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| Rok vydání: | 2021 |
| Předmět: |
medicine.medical_specialty
Breathing zone business.industry Health Toxicology and Mutagenesis Nitrous oxide Pain management Surgical procedures equipment and supplies Toxicology High flow rate Waste gas chemistry.chemical_compound chemistry Adverse health effect Emergency medicine medicine Occupational exposure business |
| Zdroj: | Toxicologie Analytique et Clinique. 33:302-310 |
| ISSN: | 2352-0078 |
| DOI: | 10.1016/j.toxac.2021.07.006 |
| Popis: | Summary Background A 50% O2/N2O mixture is effectively used for its analgesic and anxiolytic properties in pain management of diverse short-term medical and superficial surgical procedures. However, healthcare workers are often exposed to high N2O concentrations, exceeding the recommended limit (45 mg/m3). Repeatedly occupational N2O exposure might have adverse health effects. Objective To assess N2O exposure levels of healthcare workers, using different delivery and scavenging systems, and discuss the available preventive measures. Methods Short-term (n = 78) and long-term (n = 38) atmospheric samples were collected near the breathing zone of healthcare workers during 50% O2/N2O mixture administration to patients. Seven different combinations of delivery/scavenging systems were used: single face mask, double face mask connected to a portable aspiration system, both with a demand or a classic valve, connected or not to a central waste gas scavenging system. INRS's method for N2O sampling and analysis was used. Results The single face mask was associated with N2O exposure levels exceeding the recommended limit (83/89 (93%) samples > 45 mg/m3), including when a demand valve and/or central waste gas scavenging system were used (28/34 (82%) > 45 mg/m3). Single face mask-related N2O values ranged between 17 and 4500 mg/m3 (median 400 mg/m3, IQR = 160-1300). Procedures using the double face mask generated lower N2O exposure levels (25/27 samples (93%) Conclusion Scavenger systems with high flow rate evacuation capacity are necessary to prevent healthcare workers from N2O exposure. Information about risks and protective measures must be provided. |
| Databáze: | OpenAIRE |
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