Waste anesthetic gases are small amounts of gases that may leak either from the patient's anesthetic breathing circuit into the OR air while anesthesia is being administered or from exhalation of the patient during recovery.Both mechanisms of exposure create risks for OR personnel.Select the appropriate risk reduction strategy that protects the environment and perioperative worker from exposure to ambient waste anesthetic gas.

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OR workers must know the risks,potential health effects,and precautions that should be taken.The following steps can be initiated before anesthesia induction to reduce exposure to waste anesthetic gases (WAGs):Inspect the anesthetic delivery system before each use,looking for irregularities or breaks in the system.Activate the room or local ventilation system.Ensure scavenging equipment is properly connected.Connect the gas outlet to the central scavenging system.Ensure proper facemask fit before delivering anesthesia gas.Turn the gas off first before turning off the breathing system.Use the lowest anesthetic gas flow rates possible for proper functioning of the anesthesia delivery system and for patient safety.Avoid very high anesthetic gas flow rates to prevent leaks because high-flow rates generate more waste anesthetic gases than low-flow rates.

Waste Anesthetic Gases Are Small Amounts of Gases That May