Sevoflurane exposure during anesthesia procedures in a veterinary clinic

Objective To investigate waste anesthetic gas (WAG) exposure among veterinary health-care workers by characterizing occupational exposure to sevoflurane and assessing work-related health symptoms at a veterinary hospital. Methods Employee interviews assessed work practices, personal protective equipment use, and health symptoms. Personal (task-based and full-shift) and area (full-shift) air sampling was conducted for sevoflurane during anesthesia procedures on 2 workdays. Additionally, real-time monitoring was conducted to detect peak WAG exposures. Measured concentrations were compared with established occupational exposure limits (OELs). Results Interviews were conducted with 13 of 15 (87%) employees and identified variability in scavenger system use, personal protective equipment practices, and adherence to protocols. Reported symptoms included headaches, drowsiness, and eye irritation. All full-shift and task-based personal exposures were below established OELs. Full-shift sevoflurane measurements (19 personal and 13 area) ranged from 0.03 to 0.25 ppm. Task-based exposures (n = 82; range, < 0.03 to 1.10 ppm) varied by job title and procedure type, with higher concentrations observed among veterinarians and assistants during surgical procedures. Real-time monitoring revealed transient peak concentrations exceeding the instrument’s upper limit (100 ppm) during small mammal induction using an anesthesia mask or chamber box, and 5.6 to 27.9 ppm during patient recovery. Conclusions Although full-shift and task-based exposures were below OELs, real-time monitoring identified intermittent high concentrations during small mammal induction and patient recovery, highlighting opportunities for targeted controls to reduce WAG exposure. Clinical Relevance Findings suggest consistent scavenger system use, standardized training, and engineering and administrative controls to minimize WAG exposure in veterinary settings.