Global Climate Change and Human Health

As a perianesthesia nurse, I never really thought about the destiny of anesthetic gases beyond the breathing zone and postanesthesia care unit (PACU) air filtration system, until now. Perianesthesia nurses routinely receive a postoperative handoff report that includes medications and inhalation anesthetic agents selected for administration during surgery. Concern surrounding the potential for physical harm from health care worker exposure to waste anesthetic gases (WAGs) has been debated for some time. In the 1990s, Huffman 1 Huffman L.M. Regulations, standards, and guidelines protecting PACU healthcare workers. J Perianesth Nurs. 1996; 11: 231-239 Abstract Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (1) Google Scholar reported on national air quality regulatory standards in the work environment and advised that PACU staff should be educated on the risks of WAG, and self-protection measures deemed necessary for this type of exposure. As an advocate for safe practice, the American Society of PeriAnesthesia Nurses (ASPAN) issued a position statement in 1996 on air safety that recommended necessary appropriate and protective engineering controls, technologies, work practices, and personal protective equipment be utilized in the perianesthesia environment. 2 American Society of PeriAnesthesia Nurses (ASPAN)A position statement on air safety in the perianesthesia environment. J Perianesth Nurs. 1996; 11: 204-205 Abstract Full Text PDF Google Scholar (p205) Today, ASPAN provides continued advocacy and guidance to nurses in a position statement on WAG exposure in the perianesthesia setting. 3 ASPANStandard II Environment of Care. 2019-2020 Perianesthesia Nursing Standards, Practice Recommendations and Interpretive Statements. ASPAN, Cherry Hill, NJ2018 Google Scholar , 4 ASPANPosition Statement on Air Quality and Occupational Hazard Exposure Prevention. 2019-2020 Nursing Standards, Practice Recommendations and Interpretive Statements. ASPAN, Cherry Hill, NJ2018 Google Scholar