Course Description:
Recorded at AIHce EXP 2023

Due to lack of Occupational Exposure Limits (OELs) and research on chronic health effects, the NIOSH REL for halogenated gasses of 2 ppm over a 1-hour duration has been applied to isoflurane, an anesthetic used in animal research. In 2022, the ACGIH published a TLV of 50 ppm 8-hour time-weighted average (TWA) for isoflurane. This has caused confusion amongst practitioners who have utilized the 2 ppm 1-hour REL and the California CAL-OSHA 2 ppm 8-hour TWA. This session seeks to assist practitioners with navigating the OEL landscape for isoflurane by: 1) summarizing past and existing OELs for anesthetic gases, 2) reviewing the toxicology and health impacts of exposure to waste anesthetic gases, 3) discussing the impact of the changed OEL in the context of animal research, 4) reviewing methods for controlling exposures, and 5) providing information on risk communication that addresses the change in the OEL. Topics listed above will be provided in short presentation blocks, with targeted questions, interaction and active audience participation driven by the moderator. This approach will optimize audience participation and sharing of ideas.

Learning Outcomes:
Upon completion of the session, the participant will be able to:

• Differentiate past and existing OELs for anesthetic gases.
• Evaluate the scientific justification for ACGIH TLV for isoflurane.
• Establish which isoflurane exposure value best applies to a working scenario.
• Explain the toxicology and health impacts of anesthetic gases exposures.
• Recognize potential areas of concern for exposure.
• Determine the need for evaluation and obtain knowledge on evaluation methods.
• Describe engineering control methods for anesthetic gases.
• Provide risk communication on the impacts of the changed OEL.

Contact Hours:
1

Presentation Date:
05/23/2023

Presenters:
Angela Dartt, PhD, CIH
Max Ford, PhD
Alexis Parker-Vega, MS