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