What are waste anesthetic gases?
Healthcare workers in a variety of settings can be exposed to the anesthetic gases that leak out during medical procedures. These gases and vapours are known as waste anesthetic gases (WAGs). Across Canada thousands of people who work in hospitals in areas such as operating rooms, recovery, and delivery rooms; dental offices; and veterinary clinics can be exposed to dangerous and harmful levels of waste anesthetic gases. What are some examples of anesthetic gases? The gases currently in use that are of concern are in Table 1.Table 1 Anesthetic GasesGeneric or ChemicalNameCommercial nameYear IntroducedNitrous OxideNitrous oxide1844HalothaneFluothane 1954MethoxyfluranePenthrane 1960EnfluraneEthrane 1974IsoluraneForane 1980DesfluraneSuprane 1992SevofluraneUltane 1995 What are the health effects of occupational exposure to waste anesthetic gases (WAGs)? Effects of exposure to WAGs include dizziness, feelings of light headiness, nausea, fatigue, headache, irritability, and depression. Expos
