Occupational health and pollution from anaesthetics. A report of a seminar.

The Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations require employers in the United Kingdom to evaluate and control the risks to health for all their employees from exposure to hazardous substances at work. This applies to those working in hospital operating theatres who may be exposed to anaesthetic gas pollution. These legal requirements coupled with continuing concern about the effective localised control of anaesthetic pollution, the potential chemical interactions in the upper atmosphere, as well as the analysis of the prospective study in the United Kingdom on the health of women doctors, have prompted a reassessment of the topic. Some of the original fears are without foundation but the overall conclusion is that we can still not regard anaesthetic pollution as a problem solved.