Effects Of Surgical Smoking

Each year, an estimated 500,000 workers, including surgeons, nurse, anesthesiologist, and surgical technologist, are exposed to laser and electrosurgical smoke.

Surgical smoke or plume have been proven to be mutagenic, carcinogenic and a vehicle of transmission for malignant cells and viruses.1,2,3

It also contains toxic gases and vapors such as benzene, hydrogen cyanide, and formaldehyde, bioaerosols, and dear or live cellular materials.4

There are currently no specific OSHA standards for laser/electrosurgery plume hazards.

Despite the lack of conclusive validated evidence to prove or disprove harmful effects of surgical smoke, there are known facts that can raise alarm.

The mechanism of surgical smoke or plume generation by electrosurgery
units and laser is the same. Target cells is heated to the point of boiling causing its membrane to rupture.

This allows odor causing chemicals and cellular contents including virus, steam and fine particle to be dispersed into the air.