Theatre staff members and exposure to halogenated agents

Summary Ninety-eight measurements were made to evaluate the level of pollution by halogenated anaesthetics, in 27 operating rooms of 12 hospitals in the Paris area. Air sampling was made during ordinary work sessions to evaluate the degree of personal pollution to which different members of the operating room staff were exposed. Samples were analysed by gas chromatography. The degree of personal pollution was particularly high in hospitals devoted to paediatric surgery. Anaesthetists were most at risk. Scavenging equipment and a large volume of air in the operating room helped in a reduction in the level of pollution. A high rate of air extraction and the use of a filter appeared to be necessary to reduce pollution.