The effect of scavenging on nitrous oxide pollution in the delivery suite

United States standards recommend limits to occupational exposure to nitrous oxide. This can be achieved by the scavenging of waste anaesthetic gases, a routine practice in the operating suite, but less common in the delivery suite. In this study, nitrous oxide levels in the delivery room were measured, and scavenged and unscavenged levels were compared. Unacceptable levels of nitrous oxide were found in unscavenged delivery rooms, and in the majority of cases, scavenging reduced nitrous oxide pollution to within recommended limits.