Halothane biotransformation in anesthetists

Serum bromide levels were measured in 115 anesthetists by use of x-ray fluorescence spectrometry. Bromide levels peaked at 184 +/- 21 micron in anesthetists regularly exposed to halothane (n = 20), at 58 +/- 4 micron in anesthetists sporadically exposed to halothane (n = 71), and at 46 +/- 3 micron in nonexposed anesthetists (n = 24). Kinetic studies were carried out in five other anesthetists after ten days of exposure to halothane. Average daily halothane concentration was 19.2 +/- 3.2 ppm; duration of exposure was 3.8 +/- 0.2 hours/day. Mean serum bromide level increased from 40 +/- 4 micron before exposure to 220 +/- 36 micron on the last day of exposure. Serum bromide half-life was 14 +/- 1.7 days. The study demonstrates that anesthetists debrominate halothane in a dose-related fashion. Serum bromide levels achieved, however, were far below those reported to result in clinical bromism.