NIOSH Proposes Studies of Waste Anesthetic Gases, Thermal Spray Coating

Notices published recently in the Federal Register solicit comments from stakeholders on two proposed studies from NIOSH.

NIOSH is proposing a study of occupational exposures to waste anesthetic gases (WAGs) in healthcare professionals. WAGs are gases and vapors released or leaked during the administration of anesthesia to patients in operating rooms and other areas of human and veterinary hospitals. These leaks can cause exposures to nitrous oxide and halogenated agents such as isoflurane, desflurane, and sevoflurane. Symptoms of acute exposure include nausea, dizziness, headache, and fatigue, while chronic exposure can lead to DNA damage, genotoxicity, increased oxidative stress, cancer, and liver and kidney disease. The proposed study would seek to determine whether adverse effects from WAG exposure are caused by halogenated agents alone. Read more about the proposed study.

The proposed study of thermal spray coating would attempt to determine whether associations exist between exposures and respiratory health. The study will focus on three thermal spray-coating processes: electric arc, flame spraying, and cold spraying. Researchers will measure workers’ exposures to particles and metals as well as area air concentrations to particles, metals, and gases. Questionnaires, medical tests, and blood samples will comprise the assessment of respiratory health. Read more about the proposed study.

For both proposals, comments are due Aug. 22.

Related: Read the AIHA white paper “Recognition, Evaluation and Control of Waste Anesthetic Gases in the Post-Anesthesia Care Unit.” An infographic based on the white paper appeared in the February 2022 issue of The Synergist.