Several surgical devices can generate smoke as they cauterize tissue. This smoke may pose a number of hazards, especially over a long period of time.
Surgical devices associated with smoke: electrocautery, laser
Hazards:
(1) toxic and potentiall carcinogenic chemicals (benzene, 1,2-dichlorethane, ethylbenzene, etc)
(2) smoke inhalation and irritation
(3) infectious aerosols
Risk for potential problems:
(1) long-term exposure
(2) significant smoke generation
(3) poor ventilation
(4) lack of adequate personal protective equipment
The risk can be reduced by:
(1) being trained in the hazards
(2) providing smoke removal from the operative field (high efficiency particulate air = HEPA filter)
(3) wearing fitted N95 mask
(4) wearing adequate eye protection
