Are there any health hazards associated with laser plumes?
Medical staff and patients in hospitals and clinics can be at risk from exposure to laser plumes.
Health symptoms resulting from laser plume exposure include eye, nose, and throat irritation, nausea, vomiting, nasal congestion, chest tightness, abdominal cramping, general flu-like symptoms, and fatigue. These are short-term health effects usually lasting 24 to 48 hours. At present there is no knowledge of potential chronic health effects from long-term exposure to laser plume. However, carcinogens, mutagens and irritants have been found in laser plumes.
The human papilloma virus (HPV) DNA has also been found in the plume of tissue vaporized with carbon dioxide (CO2) lasers. Suspected hazards associated with the laser plumes are the transmission of viable viruses such as human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).
How can the plume be controlled?
Contaminants generated by lasers and electrosurgical units can be controlled by:
•Ventilation.
•Safe work practices.
•Personal protective equipment.
Visit www.medstore.ie or www.medstore.net for plume safety suction equipment
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