Abstract
Abstract The concentration of nitrous oxide (N2O) in urine was determined in 145 subjects (anesthetists, surgeons, and nurses) in operating theaters. The time-weighted average environmental concentration of N2O (breathing zone) was measured by means of personal passive samplers. The analyses were performed by the head space method, using a Hewlett-Packard 5880 A gas chromatograph with a Hewlett-Packard 5970 A Mass Selective Detector. A significant correlation was found between the N2O concentration in urine produced during the shift (C-u, μg/L) and N2O environmental concentration (C-I, ppm) (C-u = 0.582 C-I + 5.47; r = 0.89). The results show that the urinary concentration can be used as an appropriate biological exposure indicator. The authors suggest a Biological Exposure Index (BEI) of 55 μg/L of N2O in urine. This is the biological value obtained after four hours of an average environmental exposure to 100 ppm. Imbriani, M.; Ghittori, S.; Pezzagno, G.; Capodaglio, E.: Nitrous Oxide (N2O) in Urine as a Biological index of Exposure in Operating Room Personnel. Appl. Ind. Hyg. 3:223–226; 1988.
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