A Quantitative Analysis of Surgical Smoke Exposure as an Occupational Hazard

Objective: We hypothesized that OR airborne PM was different in quantity and mutagenic potential than office air and cigarette smoke. Summary of Background Data: Exposure to surgical smoke has been equated to cigarette smoking and thought to be hazardous to health care workers despite limited data. Methods: PM was measured during 15 operations in ORs with 24.8 ± 2.0 air changes/h, and in controls (cigarettes, office air with 1.9–2.9 air changes/h). Mutagenic potential was assessed by gamma Histone 2A family member X staining of DNA damage in small airway epithelial cells co-cultured with PM. Results: Average PM concentration during surgery was 0.002 ± 0.002 mg/m3 with maximum values at 1.08 ± 1.30 mg/m3. Greater PM correlated with more diathermy (ρ = 0.69, P = 0.006). Values were most often near zero, resulting in OR average values similar to office air (0.002 ± 0.001 mg/m3) (P = 0.32). Cigarette smoke average PM concentration was significantly higher, 4.8 ± 5.6 mg/m3 (P
Source: Annals of Surgery - Category: Surgery Tags: ORIGINAL ARTICLES Source Type: research