Administration of Isoflurane for Animal Anesthesia
Isoflurane is commonly used to anesthetize animals. This induction process can result in workplace exposure of isoflurane to personnel.
Cal/OSHA regulations limit isoflurane workplace exposure to a concentration of 2 ppm for an 8-hour time weighted average. (https://www.dir.ca.gov/title8/5155table_ac1.html)
Halogenated anesthetic agents, including Isoflurane, have been associated with health effects such as reproductive toxicity or cognitive impairment, according to a 2007 NIOSH publication on waste anesthetic gases in hospitals.
Occupational Services, Inc. recommends conducting initial and periodic air monitoring to evaluate personal and area room anesthesia exposure concentrations.
A preventive maintenance program to conduct leak tests of anesthesia delivery equipment and periodic changing of activated charcoal in the scavenging system, minimizes release of the anesthetic gas to a procedure room.