Health hazard evaluation determination report no. HHE-77-85-445, Mesa Veterinary Hospital, Golden, Colorado.

Abstract

Golden, Colorado. On August 22 &24, 1977, environmental samples were col l ected to determine concentrations of waste anesthetic gases.Findings on the days of this evaluation indicate that the mean 8-hour time weighted average exposure to nitrous oxide was 34 ppm for the veterinarian and 45 ppm for the anesthesia technicians. Average exposure to halogenated anesthetic was 0.8 and 2.2 ppm for the same two groups. These concentrations were slightly above the NIOSH Recommended Limit of 25 ppm nitrous oxide and 0.5 ppm hal ogenated anesthetic. Since information on adverse health effects due to exposure to waste anesthetic gases is not completely definitive and many unknown factors still exist, recommended permissible levels of exposure are not defined as safe levels but rather as levels which are attainable with current technology. These levels should prevent the effects caused by acute exposure and significantly reduce the risk associated with long term, low level exposure . Recommendations to further reduce concentrations are included in this report.