Volume 6, Issue 2 (Journal of Clinical and Basic Research (JCBR) 2022)
jcbr 2022, 6(2): 36-44 |
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Ethics code: IR.GOUMS.REC.1395.260
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Kalantari S, Chehrehgosha M, Royani Z, Seyedghasemi N, Mehdinejad M H. Determination of Benzene, Toluene, Ethylbenzene and Xylene Compounds in Surgical Smoke and Its Relationship with Body Mass Index and Duration of Surgery. jcbr 2022; 6 (2) :36-44
URL: http://jcbr.goums.ac.ir/article-1-362-en.html
URL: http://jcbr.goums.ac.ir/article-1-362-en.html
Soheyla Kalantari1 
, Maryam Chehrehgosha2 , Zahra Royani3 , Navisa Seyedghasemi4 , Mohammad Hadi Mehdinejad * 5
, Maryam Chehrehgosha2 , Zahra Royani3 , Navisa Seyedghasemi4 , Mohammad Hadi Mehdinejad * 5
1- PhD Candidate in Nursing, Student Research Committee, Laboratory Sciences Research Center, Faculty of Paramedical Sciences, Golestan University of Medical Sciences, Gorgan, Iran
2- PhD in Gerontology, Faculty of Paramedical Sciences, Golestan University of Medical Sciences, Gorgan, Iran
3- Laboratory Sciences Research Center, Faculty of Paramedical Sciences, Golestan University of Medical Sciences, Gorgan, Iran
4- PhD in Biostatistics, Faculty of Health, Golestan University of Medical Sciences, Gorgan, Iran
5- Environmental Health Research Center, Department of Environmental Health Engineering, Faculty of Health, Golestan University of Medical Sciences, Gorgan, Iran , hmnejad@yahoo.com
2- PhD in Gerontology, Faculty of Paramedical Sciences, Golestan University of Medical Sciences, Gorgan, Iran
3- Laboratory Sciences Research Center, Faculty of Paramedical Sciences, Golestan University of Medical Sciences, Gorgan, Iran
4- PhD in Biostatistics, Faculty of Health, Golestan University of Medical Sciences, Gorgan, Iran
5- Environmental Health Research Center, Department of Environmental Health Engineering, Faculty of Health, Golestan University of Medical Sciences, Gorgan, Iran , hmnejad@yahoo.com
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Table 2. Recommended guideline for concentration of BTEX compounds in indoor air (µg/m3)(18)
A National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health
B Time Weight Average
C Short- term Exposure Limit
In this study, the GLR and RLR models were applied to determine the relationship of BTEX concentrations with duration of surgery and BMI. The statistical analysis showed that benzene and PM2.5 had a non-normal distribution; therefore, simultaneous effect of BMI and duration of surgery on concentration of benzene and P.M2.5 was analyzed using the GLR model. In this model, if the response variable is quantitative, Gaussian function, gamma,normal distributions, and fit with appropriate link function (linear, logarithmic, and inverse, etc.) could be used. After fitting different models, the best model could be obtained according to fitting criteria, such as the Akaike Information Criterion. The obtained results showed that the best model had an inverse Gaussian distribution with logarithmic link function for benzene and gamma distribution with logarithmic link function for PM2.5 (Table 5). Based on the results, BMI had a significant association with the benzene production rate (p=0.016), and as BMI increased, the benzene production rate also increased. The surgery duration had no significant association with the PM2.5 production rate (p=0.3). We observed no significant correlation between BMI and P.M2.5 (p=0.727) or between duration of surgery and P.M2.5 (p=0.52) in the operating rooms.
Table 5. Estimation of regression coefficients for benzene and PM2.5 by BMI and surgery duration according to the GLR model
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Introduction
The development of medical technology and applying surgery as an essential treatment process have led to the emergence of new risk factors for health personnel (1). Surgical smoke has been known as an integral part of the operating room atmosphere since 1926, when Harvey Williams used electrosurgical units (ESUs) during surgical operations (2). During surgery and tissue cutting, the temperature of the cellular content is increased to 100 °C, leading to breakdown of the cell membrane and release of gases from the dissolution of the cellular content into the air (3). Edwards and Reiman demonstrated the presence of hazardous components in surgical smoke and documented the potentially harmful consequences of exposure to these airborne contaminants (4). Many studies have shown that surgical smoke contains complex constituents of chemical pollutants and biological hazards (5-7). Within hazardous volatile organic compounds, special attention has been paid to emission of benzene (C6H6), toluene(C7H8), ethylbenzene (C6H5CH2CH3), and xylene (C₈H₁₀) (BTEX) to the atmosphere from both anthropogenic and biogenic sources (8), which poses a serious threat to human health (8) as benzene is a known carcinogen (9). These compounds were identified in surgical smoke based on the results of numerous studies (10-12). The above compounds have been included in the list of hazardous compounds by the United States Environmental Protection Agency. According to the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), occupational exposure limit is 0.1 parts per million (ppm) for benzene, 0.1 ppm for toluene, and 100 ppm for ethylbenzene and xylene. The permissible limit for benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylene in ambient air is 0.003, 0.23, 0.116, and 0.92 ppm, respectively (8). Particulate matter (P.M2.5) is also one of the most important indices, and average particle size of major environmental pollutants range from 68.3 to 994 nm. Unfortunately, these particles canpenetrate directly into small airways and alveoli, thereby exerting their adverse effects.
Surgical smoke is an environmental pollutant due to the presence of BTEX (13). According to annual reports, more than half a million operating room staff were in contact with surgical smoke, at least 7 hours of day, for several consecutive years (14). Lindsey et al. (2015) also reported that ESUs smoke chemicals, in addition to irritating the respiratory tract and eyes, could be teratogenic and carcinogenic, which also affects the central nervous system (15). In addition, the surgical team inhales gases released by the dissolution of cancer cell particles during ESU-assisted removal of cancerous skin tissue (16). Considering the results of many studies on the adverse and toxic effects of surgical smoke on human health, the present study was designed to determine concentration of compounds present in surgical smoke produced during orthopedic surgeries in the operating rooms of 5 Azar hospital in Gorgan, Iran.
Materials And Methods
This was a descriptive-analytical study designed to analyze the monopolar ESUs smoke compounds during orthopedic surgeries (coagulation and cutting). Samples were taken from the operating rooms of 5 Azar Hospital, a surgical center in the Golestan Province, northeastern Iran. Approximately 60 surgical operations are performed in this the hospital daily. Samples were taken via the convenience sampling method. In order to increase the accuracy of the results, 20 patients (10 men and 10 women) were selected from orthopedic patients with coagulation problems and underlying diseases such as hypertension, diabetes, morbid obesity, and cardiovascular diseases.
Demographic information including gender, age, body mass index (BMI), type of surgery, and duration of surgery were recorded using a researcher-made checklist.The concentration of hazardous gases (BTEX), PM2.5, and their relationship with patients' BMI and duration of surgery were studied. All measurements were repeated three times. For sample collection, a charcoal adsorption tube (SKC, USA) was connected to air-sampling pump (Model NR346, Negretti Co., UK). The charcoal adsorption tubes were used to collect surgical smoke samples at a distance of 2 to 3 cm from the surgical site and near the cutting pen. The pump was set at 50-200 ml/minute. This sampling method consisted of continuous extraction of gases from surgical smoke throughout the surgical operation (17). After the sampling, formalin tablets were used for sterilizing the smoke suction tube for 6 hours. Next, BTEX compounds were extracted from charcoal tubes by using 2 ml of carbon disulfide (CS2). The vials containing CS2 and charcoal were gently shaken for 20 minutes. The solvent was transferred into GC vials, and BTEX compounds were quantified by using a gas chromatograph equipped with flame ionization detector according to the NIOSH method number 1501 (18). The measurement of suspended particles with a size of 2.5 µm was carried out by a suspended particle measuring device (Hi-Volume). As shown in table 1, the Air Quality Index (AQI) and the National Ambient Air Quality Standards for Particle Pollution by the United States Environmental Protection Agency were used for comparing PM2.5 values with standard limits (13).
There are few published guidelines for BTEX levels in residential environments, but in this study, the results were compared with the NIOSH guidelines (Table 2) (18).
Table 1. The AQI for PM2.5 breakpoints (13)
The development of medical technology and applying surgery as an essential treatment process have led to the emergence of new risk factors for health personnel (1). Surgical smoke has been known as an integral part of the operating room atmosphere since 1926, when Harvey Williams used electrosurgical units (ESUs) during surgical operations (2). During surgery and tissue cutting, the temperature of the cellular content is increased to 100 °C, leading to breakdown of the cell membrane and release of gases from the dissolution of the cellular content into the air (3). Edwards and Reiman demonstrated the presence of hazardous components in surgical smoke and documented the potentially harmful consequences of exposure to these airborne contaminants (4). Many studies have shown that surgical smoke contains complex constituents of chemical pollutants and biological hazards (5-7). Within hazardous volatile organic compounds, special attention has been paid to emission of benzene (C6H6), toluene(C7H8), ethylbenzene (C6H5CH2CH3), and xylene (C₈H₁₀) (BTEX) to the atmosphere from both anthropogenic and biogenic sources (8), which poses a serious threat to human health (8) as benzene is a known carcinogen (9). These compounds were identified in surgical smoke based on the results of numerous studies (10-12). The above compounds have been included in the list of hazardous compounds by the United States Environmental Protection Agency. According to the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), occupational exposure limit is 0.1 parts per million (ppm) for benzene, 0.1 ppm for toluene, and 100 ppm for ethylbenzene and xylene. The permissible limit for benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylene in ambient air is 0.003, 0.23, 0.116, and 0.92 ppm, respectively (8). Particulate matter (P.M2.5) is also one of the most important indices, and average particle size of major environmental pollutants range from 68.3 to 994 nm. Unfortunately, these particles canpenetrate directly into small airways and alveoli, thereby exerting their adverse effects.
Surgical smoke is an environmental pollutant due to the presence of BTEX (13). According to annual reports, more than half a million operating room staff were in contact with surgical smoke, at least 7 hours of day, for several consecutive years (14). Lindsey et al. (2015) also reported that ESUs smoke chemicals, in addition to irritating the respiratory tract and eyes, could be teratogenic and carcinogenic, which also affects the central nervous system (15). In addition, the surgical team inhales gases released by the dissolution of cancer cell particles during ESU-assisted removal of cancerous skin tissue (16). Considering the results of many studies on the adverse and toxic effects of surgical smoke on human health, the present study was designed to determine concentration of compounds present in surgical smoke produced during orthopedic surgeries in the operating rooms of 5 Azar hospital in Gorgan, Iran.
Materials And Methods
This was a descriptive-analytical study designed to analyze the monopolar ESUs smoke compounds during orthopedic surgeries (coagulation and cutting). Samples were taken from the operating rooms of 5 Azar Hospital, a surgical center in the Golestan Province, northeastern Iran. Approximately 60 surgical operations are performed in this the hospital daily. Samples were taken via the convenience sampling method. In order to increase the accuracy of the results, 20 patients (10 men and 10 women) were selected from orthopedic patients with coagulation problems and underlying diseases such as hypertension, diabetes, morbid obesity, and cardiovascular diseases.
Demographic information including gender, age, body mass index (BMI), type of surgery, and duration of surgery were recorded using a researcher-made checklist.The concentration of hazardous gases (BTEX), PM2.5, and their relationship with patients' BMI and duration of surgery were studied. All measurements were repeated three times. For sample collection, a charcoal adsorption tube (SKC, USA) was connected to air-sampling pump (Model NR346, Negretti Co., UK). The charcoal adsorption tubes were used to collect surgical smoke samples at a distance of 2 to 3 cm from the surgical site and near the cutting pen. The pump was set at 50-200 ml/minute. This sampling method consisted of continuous extraction of gases from surgical smoke throughout the surgical operation (17). After the sampling, formalin tablets were used for sterilizing the smoke suction tube for 6 hours. Next, BTEX compounds were extracted from charcoal tubes by using 2 ml of carbon disulfide (CS2). The vials containing CS2 and charcoal were gently shaken for 20 minutes. The solvent was transferred into GC vials, and BTEX compounds were quantified by using a gas chromatograph equipped with flame ionization detector according to the NIOSH method number 1501 (18). The measurement of suspended particles with a size of 2.5 µm was carried out by a suspended particle measuring device (Hi-Volume). As shown in table 1, the Air Quality Index (AQI) and the National Ambient Air Quality Standards for Particle Pollution by the United States Environmental Protection Agency were used for comparing PM2.5 values with standard limits (13).
There are few published guidelines for BTEX levels in residential environments, but in this study, the results were compared with the NIOSH guidelines (Table 2) (18).
Table 1. The AQI for PM2.5 breakpoints (13)
| PM2.5 breakpoints (µg/m3) | AQI category |
| 0.0-12.0 | Good |
| 12.1-35.4 | Moderate |
| 35.5-55.4 | Unhealthy for sensitive groups |
| 55.5-150.4 | Unhealthy |
| 150.5-250.4 | Very unhealthy |
Table 2. Recommended guideline for concentration of BTEX compounds in indoor air (µg/m3)(18)
| Guideline | Benzene | Toluene | Ethylbenzene | Xylene | |
| NIOSHA | TWAB | 320 | 375×10 3 | 435×10 3 | 435×10 3 |
| STELC | 3750 | 560×10 3 | 545×10 3 | 655×10 3 |
B Time Weight Average
C Short- term Exposure Limit
All samples were analyzed using frequency distribution, a generalized linear regression (GLR) model, and a ranked logistic regression (RLR) model in SPSS software (version 17), in order to determine therelationship between dependent and independent variables. Confidence level of all analyzes was set at 95% (p<0.05).
Results
The mean age of the patients was 48.65 ±19.24 years. Most patients (60%) had aBMI of >24 kg/m2 (range 15.4-37.8 kg/m2). The surgery duration was less than 1 hour in 55% of cases (Table 3).
Table 3. Demographic characteristics of the patients
Results
The mean age of the patients was 48.65 ±19.24 years. Most patients (60%) had aBMI of >24 kg/m2 (range 15.4-37.8 kg/m2). The surgery duration was less than 1 hour in 55% of cases (Table 3).
Table 3. Demographic characteristics of the patients
| Variable | Category | Number (%) |
| Sex | Female Male |
10 (50%) 10 (50%) |
| BMI (Kg/m2) | <19 19-24 >24 |
2(10%) 6(30%) 12 (60%) |
| Surgery duration (minutes) | <60 60-120 >120 |
11(55%) 5(25%) 4(20%) |
| Frequency of surgery (number) | First Second Third |
11(45%) 5(35%) 4(20%) |
| Age (years) | <25 25-50 >50 |
2(10%) 6(30%) 12(60%) |
Analysis of smoke compounds from ESUs revealed the presence of BTEX during surgery. The average concentrations of benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylene were 540 µg/m3, 430 µg/m3, 340 µg/m3, and 390 µg/m3, respectively. In addition, the average PM2.5 concentration was 22.75 µg/m3 (Table 4).
Table 4. Concentration of BTEX compounds (µg/m3) and P.M2.5 (µg/m3) in operating rooms
| Variable | Minimum | Maximum | Average |
| Benzene | 400 | 800 | 540 |
| Toluene | 280 | 600 | 430 |
| Ethylbenzene | 200 | 600 | 340 |
| Xylene | 300 | 600 | 390 |
| P.M 2.5 | 4 | 52 | 22.75 |
In this study, the GLR and RLR models were applied to determine the relationship of BTEX concentrations with duration of surgery and BMI. The statistical analysis showed that benzene and PM2.5 had a non-normal distribution; therefore, simultaneous effect of BMI and duration of surgery on concentration of benzene and P.M2.5 was analyzed using the GLR model. In this model, if the response variable is quantitative, Gaussian function, gamma,normal distributions, and fit with appropriate link function (linear, logarithmic, and inverse, etc.) could be used. After fitting different models, the best model could be obtained according to fitting criteria, such as the Akaike Information Criterion. The obtained results showed that the best model had an inverse Gaussian distribution with logarithmic link function for benzene and gamma distribution with logarithmic link function for PM2.5 (Table 5). Based on the results, BMI had a significant association with the benzene production rate (p=0.016), and as BMI increased, the benzene production rate also increased. The surgery duration had no significant association with the PM2.5 production rate (p=0.3). We observed no significant correlation between BMI and P.M2.5 (p=0.727) or between duration of surgery and P.M2.5 (p=0.52) in the operating rooms.
Table 5. Estimation of regression coefficients for benzene and PM2.5 by BMI and surgery duration according to the GLR model
| Type of gas |
Variable |
Value of β coefficient |
Coefficient of error Std. Error |
95% confidence interval | p-value | |
| Upper | Lower | |||||
| Benzene | BMI Surgery duration |
0.025 0.001 |
0.0104 0.0013 |
0.005 0.001 |
0.045 0.004 |
0.016 0.3 |
| P.M2.5 | BMI Surgery duration |
0.01 0.003 |
0.0289 0.0041 |
0.046 0.005 |
0.067 0.011 |
0.727 0.53 |
The RLR model was applied to determine correlation of patients’ BMI and duration of surgery with the concentrations of BTEX gases. Based on the results, duration of surgery and BMI had no significant association with ethylbenzene and xylene concentrations (p>0.05), but the surgery duration had a significant positive association with toluene production (p=0.049) (Table 6).
Table 6. Estimation of regression coefficients for toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylene by BMI and surgery duration according to the RLR model
Table 6. Estimation of regression coefficients for toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylene by BMI and surgery duration according to the RLR model
| Type of gas |
Variable |
Value of β coefficient |
Coefficient of error Std. Error |
95% confidence interval | p-value | |
| Upper | Lower | |||||
| Ethylbenzene |
BMI Surgery duration |
-0.048 0.009 |
0.095 0.011 |
-0.234 -0.013 |
0.138 0.031 |
0.611 0.422 |
| Toluene |
BMI Surgery duration |
-0.166 0.037 |
0.123 0.019 |
-0.406 0.000 |
0.075 0.075 |
0.178 0.0493 |
| Xylene | BMI Surgery duration |
-0.073 0.002 |
0.101 0.012 |
-0.27 -0.021 |
0.124 0.025 |
0.467 0.845 |
Discussion
The highest value of BTEX (540 µg/m3) during orthopedic surgeries was related to benzene, which is one of the major chemical materials of the hydrocarbon group. This value is higher than the time weighted average value of the NIOSH limit (320µg/m3). In recent years, several studies have shown that benzene is one of the main gases produced during orthopedic surgeries (2, 7, 19). This gas can irritate the eyes, nose as well as the respiratory tract, and cause headaches, dizziness, and nausea. Exposure to benzene in the workplace can lead to various blood disorders, such as anemia and leukemia, even at very low concentrations (8, 20). Benzene is also the only compound within the BTEX group that has been proven to be carcinogenic to humans according to the International Agency for Research on Cancer (13). The lack of awareness of operating room staff might be an important reason for increasing the effects of this compound. Our results showed that there was significant association between benzene concentration and patients’ BMI. Due to these destructive effects, it is necessary to measure this compound continuously in the operating rooms.With an average dynamic diameter of < 2.5 µm, PM2.5 particles are considered as one of the main pollutants of ambient air (17).
These particles can increase the mortality risk of cardiovascular disease, especially in people with heart failure or recurrent arrhythmia. According to a cohort study by the American Cancer Society, cardiovascular diseases and mortality rate from lung cancer are increased by 6% and 8%, respectively, for each 10 µg/m3 average annual exposure to PM2.5 (21, 22). Based on our results, the average PM2.5 concentration was ranging between 4 and 52 µg/m3, which is unhealthy for sensitive groups according to the AQI standards. This indicates that inadequate control of surgical smoke can cause serious complications for operating room personnel in short term and long term. Due to the dangerous effects of PM2.5 for the operating room personnel, it is essential to monitor the ventilation of the operating room and use appropriate face masks during surgery. In addition, an empirical study of Suwa et al. (2002) showed that the presence of PM2.5 in the operating room air can have detrimental effects on humans and cause cardiovascular disease among operating room personnel (23).
The average levels of released toluene, xylene, and ethylbenzene were 430 µg/m3, 390 µg/m3, and 340 µg/m3, respectively. According to the NIOSH standard, the permissible limit for toluene, xylene, and ethylbenzene is 375×103 µg/m3, 435×103 µg/m3, and 435×103 µg/m3, respectively. Our obtained values were lower than the NIOSH standard limit. There was also no significant relationship between duration of surgery and concentration of xylene and ethylbenzene, but there was a significant relationship between duration of surgery and concentration of toluene (p=0.04). Exposure to some organic solvents such as toluene can have detrimental effects on some organs including they eyes and nose, and may lead to the development of diseases such as leukemia, bladder cancer, and central nervous system disorders (24). In general, toluene, xylene, and ethylbenzene can be released from substances such as anesthetics, solvents, medical equipment, chemical and biological compounds, and surgical smoke. Zhou et al. (2014) have shown that these gases cause congenital defects in the fetus and increase the risk of leukemia in children as well as infertility and preterm labor in women (25). Although the concentration of surgical gases in the present study was in the optimal range, it seems that increasing the surgery duration may increase the indoor concentration of the above gases. Assessing the patient's conditions and the complexity of the surgical procedure preoperatively and choosing the appropriate room with larger open space and better ventilation can be effective in facilitating the safety management of the operating room staff, especially female operating room technicians.
The BMI of patients ranged between 15.4 and 37.8 kg/m2 (mean = 25.28 kg/m2). This index is one of the most effective indicators related to surgical smoke in the operating rooms (26). According to the World Health Organization, patients are classified as overweight if their BMI exceeded 24.99 kg/m2 (27). In our study, 60% of patients had a BMI level of >24.99 kg/m2, which is higher than the standard limit. The mean BMI level (25.28 kg/m2) was near the normal range and slightly close to the overweight range. Twelve cases had BMI level of >24.99 kg/m2 and also a higher benzene concentration in ESUs. Moreover, benzene production increased with patients’ BMI during electrosurgery. Greater attention to reduce possible exposure should be paid by the operating staff if the patients are overweight. Therefore, due to the aforementioned facts, it can be said that BMI is a simple indicator for estimating exposure risk. Other studies have also found a direct relationship between the concentration of surgery smoke and duration of surgery and BMI of patients (26, 28, 29).
Conclusion
Although the overall concentration of toxic and irritating volatile organic compounds in our study was low, but cumulative concentrations of BTEX compound in the operating rooms can be a serious health threat for surgeons and operating room personnel. Standardization of the operating rooms and providing a suitable laminar airflow ventilation system can be effective for removing these carcinogenic gases form the operating rooms atmosphere. The PM2.5 concentration in the studied center is out of the standard limit, which can be unhealthy for sensitive groups. Due to the dangerous effects of PM2.5 for the operating room personnel, it is essential to monitor the ventilation of the operating room and use appropriate face masks during surgery. Our findings indicate that the inadequate control of surgical smoke can have serious short-term and long-term complications for operating room personnel. Therefore, it is suggested to conduct studies on operating room personnel's awareness level about the health risks of these gases.
Acknowledgements
The researchers would like to express their gratitude to the Vice Chancellor for Research and Technology of Golestan University of Medical Sciences and Dean of Environmental Health Research Center for supporting this study.
Declarations
Funding
This research has been supported and funded by the Deputy of Research and Technology of Golestan University of Medical Sciences, Gorgan, Iran (Grant No.33804).
Ethics approvals and consent to participate
The study was approved by the Ethics Committee of the Golestan University of Medical Sciences, Iran (ethical approval code: IR.GOUMS.REC.1395.260).
Conflict of Interest
The authors declare that there is no conflict of interest regarding publication of this article
The highest value of BTEX (540 µg/m3) during orthopedic surgeries was related to benzene, which is one of the major chemical materials of the hydrocarbon group. This value is higher than the time weighted average value of the NIOSH limit (320µg/m3). In recent years, several studies have shown that benzene is one of the main gases produced during orthopedic surgeries (2, 7, 19). This gas can irritate the eyes, nose as well as the respiratory tract, and cause headaches, dizziness, and nausea. Exposure to benzene in the workplace can lead to various blood disorders, such as anemia and leukemia, even at very low concentrations (8, 20). Benzene is also the only compound within the BTEX group that has been proven to be carcinogenic to humans according to the International Agency for Research on Cancer (13). The lack of awareness of operating room staff might be an important reason for increasing the effects of this compound. Our results showed that there was significant association between benzene concentration and patients’ BMI. Due to these destructive effects, it is necessary to measure this compound continuously in the operating rooms.With an average dynamic diameter of < 2.5 µm, PM2.5 particles are considered as one of the main pollutants of ambient air (17).
These particles can increase the mortality risk of cardiovascular disease, especially in people with heart failure or recurrent arrhythmia. According to a cohort study by the American Cancer Society, cardiovascular diseases and mortality rate from lung cancer are increased by 6% and 8%, respectively, for each 10 µg/m3 average annual exposure to PM2.5 (21, 22). Based on our results, the average PM2.5 concentration was ranging between 4 and 52 µg/m3, which is unhealthy for sensitive groups according to the AQI standards. This indicates that inadequate control of surgical smoke can cause serious complications for operating room personnel in short term and long term. Due to the dangerous effects of PM2.5 for the operating room personnel, it is essential to monitor the ventilation of the operating room and use appropriate face masks during surgery. In addition, an empirical study of Suwa et al. (2002) showed that the presence of PM2.5 in the operating room air can have detrimental effects on humans and cause cardiovascular disease among operating room personnel (23).
The average levels of released toluene, xylene, and ethylbenzene were 430 µg/m3, 390 µg/m3, and 340 µg/m3, respectively. According to the NIOSH standard, the permissible limit for toluene, xylene, and ethylbenzene is 375×103 µg/m3, 435×103 µg/m3, and 435×103 µg/m3, respectively. Our obtained values were lower than the NIOSH standard limit. There was also no significant relationship between duration of surgery and concentration of xylene and ethylbenzene, but there was a significant relationship between duration of surgery and concentration of toluene (p=0.04). Exposure to some organic solvents such as toluene can have detrimental effects on some organs including they eyes and nose, and may lead to the development of diseases such as leukemia, bladder cancer, and central nervous system disorders (24). In general, toluene, xylene, and ethylbenzene can be released from substances such as anesthetics, solvents, medical equipment, chemical and biological compounds, and surgical smoke. Zhou et al. (2014) have shown that these gases cause congenital defects in the fetus and increase the risk of leukemia in children as well as infertility and preterm labor in women (25). Although the concentration of surgical gases in the present study was in the optimal range, it seems that increasing the surgery duration may increase the indoor concentration of the above gases. Assessing the patient's conditions and the complexity of the surgical procedure preoperatively and choosing the appropriate room with larger open space and better ventilation can be effective in facilitating the safety management of the operating room staff, especially female operating room technicians.
The BMI of patients ranged between 15.4 and 37.8 kg/m2 (mean = 25.28 kg/m2). This index is one of the most effective indicators related to surgical smoke in the operating rooms (26). According to the World Health Organization, patients are classified as overweight if their BMI exceeded 24.99 kg/m2 (27). In our study, 60% of patients had a BMI level of >24.99 kg/m2, which is higher than the standard limit. The mean BMI level (25.28 kg/m2) was near the normal range and slightly close to the overweight range. Twelve cases had BMI level of >24.99 kg/m2 and also a higher benzene concentration in ESUs. Moreover, benzene production increased with patients’ BMI during electrosurgery. Greater attention to reduce possible exposure should be paid by the operating staff if the patients are overweight. Therefore, due to the aforementioned facts, it can be said that BMI is a simple indicator for estimating exposure risk. Other studies have also found a direct relationship between the concentration of surgery smoke and duration of surgery and BMI of patients (26, 28, 29).
Conclusion
Although the overall concentration of toxic and irritating volatile organic compounds in our study was low, but cumulative concentrations of BTEX compound in the operating rooms can be a serious health threat for surgeons and operating room personnel. Standardization of the operating rooms and providing a suitable laminar airflow ventilation system can be effective for removing these carcinogenic gases form the operating rooms atmosphere. The PM2.5 concentration in the studied center is out of the standard limit, which can be unhealthy for sensitive groups. Due to the dangerous effects of PM2.5 for the operating room personnel, it is essential to monitor the ventilation of the operating room and use appropriate face masks during surgery. Our findings indicate that the inadequate control of surgical smoke can have serious short-term and long-term complications for operating room personnel. Therefore, it is suggested to conduct studies on operating room personnel's awareness level about the health risks of these gases.
Acknowledgements
The researchers would like to express their gratitude to the Vice Chancellor for Research and Technology of Golestan University of Medical Sciences and Dean of Environmental Health Research Center for supporting this study.
Declarations
Funding
This research has been supported and funded by the Deputy of Research and Technology of Golestan University of Medical Sciences, Gorgan, Iran (Grant No.33804).
Ethics approvals and consent to participate
The study was approved by the Ethics Committee of the Golestan University of Medical Sciences, Iran (ethical approval code: IR.GOUMS.REC.1395.260).
Conflict of Interest
The authors declare that there is no conflict of interest regarding publication of this article
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