[Health hazards to the anaesthesist]

During the past years there has been increasing concern regarding potential hazards to the anaesthetist presented by, e.g., anaesthetic agents, exposure to X-rays, virus hepatitis. Chronic exposure to inhalational anaesthetics, in particular, has been held responsible for a variety of complants and disorders. Investigations at the Technical University, Munich, have shown no appreciable difference in the sick rate between the staff of the Department of Anaesthetics and the Department of Medicine. Whereas exposure to X-radiation cannot be regarded as a health hazard provided the prescribed safety measures are adhered to, virus hepatitis still constitutes a major risk. There is also some evidence of an increased incidence of miscarriages amoung the female anaesthetic personnel. The causes are unknown. Halothane hepatitis is very rare and does not present a major risk.