Biomedical subjects
Publications and source records attributed to R S Barratt.
Current and proposed European Union (EU) regulations require the residual material from municipal solid waste incineration to be characterised prior to disposal. X-Ray fluorescence (XRF) provides a rapid and non-destructive technique for analysing such materials.
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Air quality data for "standard smoke" and for sulphur dioxide in central Birmingham are examined for the influence of sampling height. Data from two sites at the same location but separated vertically by about 30 m indicate that the effect of sampling height can change over a period of several years. For standard smoke the effect of height appears to be diminishing, whereas for sulphur dioxide the effect of sampling height appears to be increasing.
Air quality data for "standard smoke" and for sulphur dioxide are presented for the period 1962-1982 to demonstrate the long-term trends in the centre of Birmingham. Little data have previously been published on this major urban area in the United Kingdom. Deviations from the long-term trends are related to meteorological conditions and the air quality is compared with standards. The improvements in air quality are considerable and are demonstrated in various ways. Changes in the urban environment had their impact on air quality in the city, but, as found elsewhere, once reductions in pollution have been achieved it is meteorological factors which influence concentrations from year to year. No effect of the nearby urban motorway on smoke stain measurements at the monitoring site was observed.
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The extent of air contamination by halothane in an operating session was correlated with the number of patients, the total usage of halothane, refilling a vaporizer and the number of hyperventilating patients per session. Trichloroethylene content of theatre air correlated only with total usage and refilling a vaporizer. A very strong personal association (P smaller than 0.001) was found between the anaesthetist and the extent of air contamination with halothane. The association was weaker (0.05 less than P less than 0.1) for trichloroethylene. The median ambient air contamination with halothane in the vicinity of the faces of anaesthetists and dental surgeons was between six and nine times greater than the median air contamination at the fixed sampling sites (P smaller than 0.005).
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All halothane vaporizers tested for leakage when turned off, leaked significant amounts of halothane and this may represent a hazard to patients liable to develop halothane hepatitis or malignant hyperpyrexia. The hazard from leaking vaporizers may be reduced considerably by the use of well-designed bypass units. Circuit contamination by halothane may still result from such sources as neoprene seals around flowmeters, breathing bags and anaesthetic hose which have had previous contact with halothane vapour, whether or not an apparatus is in use. The hazard from contaminated hoses and bags may be reduced considerably by washing and then hanging in a halothane-free atmosphere for a day. The hazard from contamined rubber or plastic components of the anaesthetic machine can be eliminated only by using one apparatus without the vaporizers having been attached at any time during its working life. Similarly, hazards may arise from trichloroethylene vaporizers and from circuit components contaminated with trichloroethylene.
Dust is important as a factor affecting amenity and there are suggestions that it can make a significant contribution to the exposure of children to toxic materials and particularly to lead. The results are presented of an investigation into the lead concentrations in dust collected in Birmingham. Relationships are shown to exist between samples from similar areas and the distributions of lead concentrations throughout the City are shown. However, interpretations must be made with caution and this is illustrated by referring to some of the problems involved in the collection and chemical analysis of the samples.
A new approach for the study of the pollution of operating theatre atmospheres by volatile anaesthetic agents is described. Disadvantages of earlier work are discussed together with ways in which they may be overcome. Some pitfalls in analysis, sampling and standardization are indicated and some hazards of incorrect data interpretation are shown. The need for a cautious and critical attitude is emphasized.
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The diffusion of a vapour into a gas provides a useful method for the preparation of standard atmospheres of the vapour. The construction and use of the apparatus for preparing these standards are described and the relevance of the method to research in anaesthetic practice is discussed.