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The Effect of Scavenging on Nitrous Oxide Pollution in the Delivery Suite
Author(s) -
Heath B.J.,
Done M.,
Balog O.,
Ziccone S.,
Rosewarae F.
Publication year - 1994
Publication title -
australian and new zealand journal of obstetrics and gynaecology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.734
H-Index - 65
eISSN - 1479-828X
pISSN - 0004-8666
DOI - 10.1111/j.1479-828x.1994.tb01278.x
Subject(s) - nitrous oxide , scavenging , suite , environmental science , oxide , environmental chemistry , chemistry , anesthesia , medicine , biochemistry , archaeology , organic chemistry , history , antioxidant
Summary: 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.