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Related Experiment Video

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Cavernous Nerve Stimulation and Recording of Intracavernous Pressure in a Rat
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Trace nitrous oxide levels in the postanesthesia care unit.

D G McGregor1, D H Senjem, R I Mazze

  • 1Department of Anesthesiology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota 55905, USA. dmcgregor@Mayo.edu

Anesthesia and Analgesia
|August 10, 1999
PubMed
Summary

Waste anesthetic gases, specifically nitrous oxide, were measured in postanesthesia care units (PACUs). Exposure levels for PACU nurses were found to be significantly below recommended safety limits.

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Area of Science:

  • Occupational Health
  • Anesthesiology
  • Environmental Monitoring

Background:

  • Waste anesthetic gases (WAGs) in postanesthesia care units (PACUs) raise health concerns for nurses.
  • WAG levels in PACUs are generally presumed lower than in operating rooms.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To quantify nitrous oxide (N2O) levels in the ambient air of two large PACUs.
  • To assess potential occupational exposure risks for PACU nurses.

Main Methods:

  • Nitrous oxide levels were measured using time-weighted average monitors worn by 33 PACU nurses across two hospitals.
  • Patient data, including anesthetic details and end-tidal N2O, were collected concurrently.

Main Results:

  • Mean time-weighted average N2O levels in PACU A were 2.0 ppm (range 0-6.4 ppm).
  • In PACU B, N2O levels were undetectable (< 2.0 ppm).
  • Measured N2O exposures were substantially below the 25 ppm recommended exposure level.

Conclusions:

  • Postanesthesia care units with effective ventilation exhibit very low nitrous oxide levels.
  • Worker health is unlikely to be adversely affected by current N2O exposure levels in well-ventilated PACUs.