Engineering Controls Database
Control of Smoke from Laser/Electrical Surgical Procedures
| During surgical procedures using a laser or electrosurgical unit, the thermal destruction of tissue creates a smoke byproduct. | |
| Research studies have confirmed that this smoke plume can contain toxic gases and vapors such as benzene, hydrogen cyanide, formaldehyde, bioaerosols, dead and live cellular material (including blood fragments), and viruses. At high concentrations the smoke causes ocular and upper respiratory tract irritation in health care personnel, and can create view obstruction for the surgeon. The smoke has unpleasant odors and has been shown to have mutagenic potential. | |
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NIOSH research has shown airborne contaminants generated by these surgical devices can be effectively controlled. Two methods of control are recommended: Ventilation and Work Practices. Ventilation Recommended ventilation techniques include a combination of general room and local exhaust ventilation (LEV). General room ventilation is not by itself sufficient to capture contaminants generated at the source. The two major LEV approaches used to reduce surgical smoke levels for healthcare personnel are portable smoke evacuators and room suction systems. Smoke evacuators contain a suction unit (vacuum pump), filter, hose, and an inlet nozzle. The smoke evacuator should have high efficiency in airborne particle reduction and should be used in accordance with the manufacturer’s recommendations to achieve maximum efficiency. A capture velocity of about 100 to 150 feet per minute at the inlet nozzle is generally recommended. It is also important to choose a filter that is effective in collecting the contaminants. A High Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filter or equivalent is recommended for trapping particulates. Various filtering and cleaning processes also exist which remove or inactivate airborne gases and vapors. The various filters and absorbers used in smoke evacuators require monitoring and replacement on a regular basis and are considered a possible biohazard requiring proper disposal. Room suction systems can pull at a much lower rate and were designed primarily to capture liquids rather than particulate or gases. If these systems are used to capture generated smoke, users must install appropriate filters in the line, ensure that the line is cleared, and that filters are disposed of properly. Generally speaking, the use of smoke evacuators is more effective than room suction systems to control the generated smoke from non-endoscopic laser/electric surgical procedures. Work Practices The smoke evacuator or room suction hose nozzle inlet must be kept within 2 inches of the surgical site to effectively capture airborne contaminants generated by these surgical devices. The smoke evacuator should be ON (activated) at all times when airborne particles are produced during all surgical or other procedures. At the completion of the procedure all tubing, filters, and absorbers must be considered infectious waste and be disposed of appropriately. New filters and tubing should be installed on the smoke evacuator for each procedure. Although there are many commercially available smoke evacuator systems to select from, all these LEV systems must be regularly inspected and maintained to prevent possible leaks. Users should also utilize control measures such as “universal precautions,” as required by the OSHA Blood-Borne Pathogen Standard (29 CFR 1910.1030). |
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• Evaluation of a Smoke Evacuator Used for Laser Surgery, Lasers Surg Med 9:276 281 (1989) • NIOSH Health Hazard Evaluation and Technical Assistance Reports, HETA 85-126-1932 (1988) and HETA 88-101-2008 (1990). • NIOSH Hazard Control [1996]. Control of smoke from laser/electrical procedures. Cincinnati, OH: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 96-128. • Hazard Controls - control of smoke from laser/electrical procedures. App Occup Environ Hyg. 14:71 (1999). • CFR. Code of Federal Regulations. Washington, DC: U.S. Government Printing Office, Office of the Federal Register. |
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healthcare personnel laser/electrosurgical procedures nurses physicians |