Nitrous oxide: workplace concentrations/ecology

Although no dose–response relationship exists for the health risk associated with the occupational exposure to waste anaesthetic gases, international health authorities recommend different threshold values for making the operating room safe. In this chapter, studies are presented that show the different exposure levels that are connected with various anaesthetic procedures and different airway devices. Both are responsible for the extent of waste gas in the operating room air. Furthermore, the working area designated the ‘recovery room’ will also be studied. In addition, current research into genotoxicity and waste gas exposure will be presented and some recommendations will be given for reducing the amount of waste anaesthetic gases.