The temperture inside carbon dioxide absorbers

The temperature changes which occur when soda lime is used to absorb carbon dioxide were measured simulated clinical conditions. The temperature reached in the circle absorption system was found to vary with the room temperature; with a room temperature of 24 degrees C, all brands of soda lime tested reached 40 degrees C in the centre of the circle system. The 'to and fro' absorber achieved a central temperature approximately 5 degrees C higher than in the circle absorber. Temperatures at the periphery were always lower than those measured at the centre of the system. It is still advisable to avoid the use of trichloroethylene in the presence of soda lime and the absence of a safety lock on new anaesthetic machines is regrettable.