Health care professionals who work in hospitals, operating rooms, dental offices and veterinary clinics, are potentially exposed to waste anesthetic gases and are at risk of occupational illness.

This document provides general information and guidance about anesthetic gases and workplace exposures. Workplace exposures to anesthetic gases occur in hospital-based and stand-alone …

The anesthetic gases and vapors that leak into the surrounding areas during medical procedures are considered waste anesthetic gases. It is estimated that more than 250,000 healthcare …

Describes biological effects, standard recommendations, and exposure limit recommendations for waste anesthetic gases as well as work practice and control procedures to limit exposure.

Many health care workers are unaware of the potential health hazards associated with waste anesthetic gases in their work environment. This makes them more vulnerable to illness.

OSHA standards do not specifically address waste anesthetic gases. This section highlights documents related to waste anesthetic gases. OSHA Standards

They include bloodborne pathogens and biological hazards, potential chemical and drug exposures, waste anesthetic gas exposures, respiratory hazards, ergonomic hazards from …

Waste Anesthetic Gases Standards Hazard Recognition Possible Solutions Additional Resources Workers' Rights

Presents control measures for preventing or greatly reducing exposure to nitrous oxide during the administration of anesthetic gas. For additional information on hazardous drugs, see OSHA's …

Waste gases result from poor work practices during the anesthetization of patients, improper or inadequate maintenance of the machine, and/or patient exhalation after the surgical procedure …