PubMed · 8909716
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A Custovic, A Woodcock. Allergen avoidance.. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/8909716/
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The radon concentration (RC), total potential alpha energy concentration of radon decay products (PAEC), equilibrium factor (F), and the fraction of unattached radon decay products (fp) were measured for 94 offices in Hong Kong. The mean values for RC, PAEC, F, and fp were 51 Bq m(-3), 1.19x10(-7) J m(-3) (5.7 mWL), 0.43, and 0.13, respectively. The first three are much higher than the corresponding values for dwellings. The radon properties vary significantly for different sites. The time for measurements, cumulative time since the air conditioning system was turned on, and whether smoking is allowed in the office have been identified from the available data as possible factors affecting the radon characteristics in offices. The mean contribution of the lung exposure to the annual effective dose equivalent due to radon in offices has been calculated to be 0.35 mSv y(-1). Considering other sources of natural radiation, a rough estimate of the total annual equivalent dose of about 2.7 mSv for a person living in Hong Kong is obtained. Two simple methods are proposed to mitigate the radon hazard in offices: (1) the provision of smoke-free environments and (2) switching on the air conditioners earlier. The first method reduces the equivalent dose by about 0.13 mSv y(-1) while the second reduces by about 0.1 mSv y(-1), which can be regarded as significant.
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BACKGROUND: Currently, there are no data available concerning the occupational exposure to desflurane during general anaesthesia. This prospective, randomized study reports on occupational exposure to desflurane, compared to isoflurane, in a modern operation theatre (OT). METHODS: The study was performed in an OT equipped with a modern air-conditioning system and with a low-leakage anaesthesia machine connected to a central scavenging system. Trace concentrations of the anaesthetics were measured continuously by means of a photoacoustic infrared spectrometer during general anaesthesia in 30 patients undergoing eye surgery. Values were obtained within the breathing zone of the anaesthetist, the surgeon, the auxiliary nurse and at the mouth of the patient. RESULTS: Desflurane and isoflurane were administered with median (range) endtidal concentrations of 4.7 (3.8-10.3) vol% and 0.9 (0.6-1.4) vol%, respectively. The personnel-related median values of the average trace concentrations of desflurane and isoflurane were 0.5 (0.01-7.5) ppm and 0.2 (0.01-1.6) ppm, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Occupational exposure to desflurane is low in the environment of a modern OT, even though it has to be administered in approximately 5-fold higher concentrations compared to isoflurane.