Occupational exposure to nitrous oxide - The role of scavenging and ventilation systems in reducing the exposure level in operating rooms

The aim of that study was to assess the level of occupational exposure to nitrous oxide in operating rooms. Measurements were carried out during surgical procedures in 35 operating rooms in 10 different Polish hospitals equipped with different systems for ventilation and anaesthetic scavenging. Air was collected in Tedlar bags, and NO2 concentrations were analyzed by adsorption gas chromatography and mass spectrometry.