Industrial Hygiene - Waste Anesthetic Gas Studies
CalOSHA and NIOSH require regular waste anesthesia gas monitoring. Since anesthetic agents are not metabolized within the body, these chemicals have been found in the exhaled breath of both patients and operating room staff for periods ranging from hours to several days after administration of the anesthetic.
Inhalation of excessive amounts of anesthetic agents can cause drowsiness, irritability, depression, headache, fatigue and problems of judgment and coordination. Epidemiological studies have found increased incidences of embryo toxicity, liver and kidney disease, and cancer among groups of female personnel working in the operating room.
NFPA studies indicate that anesthetic agents are nonflammable under almost all conditions encountered in clinical anesthesia. High concentrations of nitrous oxide increase the range of flammability.
FSMT’s waste anesthetic gas monitoring program is an important worker safety industrial hygiene study which includes the following services:
Determination of baseline levels of waste anesthetic gases in each operating suite prior to surgery.
Identification of high pressure leak sources including schematics pinpointing the location of any detected leakage.
Complete low pressure testing of anesthesia machine and breathing circuits including all fittings and accessories.
Testing of all gas scavenging systems for leaks, proper assembly, and function.
Testing of OR breathing zones using both dynamic and static data gathering techniques.
Testing of vacuum flow rates at all vacuum outlets.
Ultrasonic leak testing of all nitrous oxide high-pressure fittings.
Comparison of test data with federal and state requirements including notification and consultation if levels are exceeded.
Recommendations and suggestions for the correction of any detected problems.
Calculation of room air exchange rates.
Determination of room negative/positive pressures.
Industrial Hygiene - Room Air Exchange Rate Studies
Air distribution for hospital operating rooms is much more critical and specialized than for a typical air conditioned office building space. In the hospital operating room, the control of airborne contaminants is a consideration in addition to the room comfort conditions.
FSMT operating room exchange rate studies measure the amount of freshventilation via supply air compared to return air. Laboratory and cleaning room exchange rate studies also make this comparison with a negative rather than positive pressure delta.
Study results assist facility staff in assuring that the differential between return and supply air volumes is not too great as this could impede the dilution of contaminated air.
Industrial hygiene studies of chemical compounds having OSHA, CalOSHA or NIOSH inspection requirements or recommendations will be performed. Such studies include formaldehyde, xylene and other harmful products. Both dynamic and static testing is available.
Industrial hygiene studies of gas subsystems having OSHA, CalOSHA or NIOSH inspection requirements or recommendations will be performed. Such studies include ETO, gluteraldehyde and other harmful products. Both dynamic and static testing is available.
WAGD Studies
Room Air Exchanges
Solvents & Infection Control
Industrial Hygiene
Included in each Med Gas Safe TM report is a quotation summarizing required repairs. Facility engineers use this information to determine which repairs may be done by in-house staff and those items which require outside support.
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