1.      Process

Use of inhalation anesthetics for animals in a laboratory environment including:

q       Enflurane

q       Halothane

q       Isoflurane

Use of ether is prohibited by the Animal Care and Use Committee (ACUC).

The best anesthetic for this system is either halothane or isoflurane.  Halothane is the most effective inhalant anesthetic for euthanasia.

2.      Physical Hazards

q       Enflurane, halothane and isoflurane are clear, nonflammable colorless liquids with a mild, sweet odor.

q       These materials are incompatible to strong oxidizers.

3.      Health Hazards

q       These agents cause irritation of the eyes, skin and respiratory system.

q       They act on the central nervous system causing dizziness, drowsiness, headache, excitement, narcosis, analgesia and anesthesia.

q       They may depress the respiratory system.

q       The halogenated agents may cause cardiac arrhythmias.

q       They may affect the liver and kidney.

q       They may cause reproductive damage.

4.      Personal Protective Equipment

q       EYE PROTECTION

·         Safety glasses, goggles or face shields shall be worn during operations in which might contact the eyes (e.g., through vapors or splashes of solution).

·         Ordinary (street) prescription glasses do not provide adequate protection.  Adequate safety glasses must meet the requirements of the Practice for Occupational Education Eye and Face Protection (ANSI Z87.1-1989) and must be equipped with side shields. 

·         Fisherbrand® Chemical Splash Goggles, catalog # 19-041-739 are recommended.

·          Contact lenses shall not be worn if the potential exist for inhalation anesthetics exposure.

q       HAND PROTECTION

·         Safeskin ™ Purple Nitrile Xtra Exam Gloves are recommended for use with inhalation anesthetics which are available through Fisher Scientific, catalog #19-149-864.

q       LAB COATS, ETC.

·         Lab coats, close toed shoes and long sleeved clothing shall be worn when handling acetaldehyde. Protective clothing shall be worn to prevent any possibility of skin contact with inhalation anesthetics.

q       SAFETY SHOWER/EYEWASH 

·         Where the eyes or body of any person may be exposed to inhalation anesthetics, suitable facilities for quick drench or flushing of the eyes and body shall be provided within the work area for immediate emergency use. 

·         Bottle type eyewash stations are not acceptable.

5.      Designated Area for Use and Containment Devices

q       The open-drop (anesthetic chamber) method for inducing anesthesia in laboratory rodents has been approved by the institutional Animal Care and Use Committee under the following conditions:

·          The closed anesthetic chamber should contain a raised floor to protect the animal from direct contact with the anesthetic agent, which is usually soaked in gauze.  Alternatively, the soaked gauze may be placed in a separate container that allows the gas to permeate but prevents any direct contact of the material with the animal.

·          The chamber must be used in a chemical fume hood to exhaust the anesthetic and waste gases. 

o            The chemical fume hood must be certified annually by WFUHS EH&S. 

o            The minimal air velocity of the fume hood should be 100 feet per minute. 

o            Alternatively, a scavenging device can be used to control the exposure to the anesthetic and waste gases.

·          Isoflurane dispensers fed to anesthetic chamber are acceptable provided that the chamber is placed in a chemical hood or vented through a vacuum system with a scavenging device.

·          Perform routine inspection and regular maintenance of equipment in order to reduce anesthetic gas leaks and to have the best performance of scavenging equipment and room ventilation.

o         The vaporizer should be calibrated and maintained annually by the vendor or equivalent service contractor.

o         WFUHS EH&S must perform leak test on the anesthetic equipment and set-up to reduce or prevent occupational exposure to anesthetic gas.

5.      Special Handling Procedures and Storage Requirements

q       INDUSTRIAL HYGIENE TESTING REQUIREMENTS

Users of these materials are required to notify EH&S at 716-1221 of the location of areas where they will be using these agents so that a hazard assessment and air sampling may be performed.

q       LIQUID ANESTHETIC AGENTS

·          Liquid anesthetic agents (i.e. halothane, enflurane, and isoflurane) are not flammable but do have limited shelf life.

·          Be certain to date the chemical when it is opened and to check expiration date before use.

6.      Waste Disposal

Excess anesthetic agents and all waste material containing anesthetic agents must be placed in an unbreakable secondary container labeled with the following "HAZARDOUS WASTE ANESTHETIC AGENTS ". Full containers of anesthetic agents waste must be disposed of according to WFUHS EH&S Hazardous Waste Program.

7.      Decontamination of Equipment and Area

Contact WFUHS EH&S at 716-1221 for decontamination information.

8.      Spill and Accident Procedures

·          In the event of a liquid spill, all personnel in the area shall be alerted.

·          In the event of a liquid spill greater than 300 cc, immediately vacate and secure the area. Contact WFUBMC Security at 716-9111.