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Table 1 The 16 scenarios used to represent real-life equimolar mix of nitrous oxide (N2O)/oxygen (O2) [EMONO] administration

From: Modelling levels of nitrous oxide exposure for healthcare professionals during EMONO usage

Scenario

Patient

Room size (m2)

Room ventilation mode

Administration mode

EMONO usage

TWA-8 h ppm (OEL = 25–100)

#1 Dentistry

Adult

15

Controlled mechanical ventilation system (5 vol/h)

Without on-demand valve

(20 min adm. + 40 min washouta) ×2

19.0

#2 Dentistry

(59 min adm. + 40 min washouta) ×1

28.7

#3 Dentistry

Window

(20 min adm. + 40 min washouta) ×2

20.4

#4 Dentistry

(59 min adm. + 40 min washouta) ×1

65.6

#5 Dermatology

Adult

10

Single door

On-demand valve

(30 min adm. + 30 min washouta) ×2

57.2

#6 Emergency room

Child (+ parent)

10

Double door

Without on-demand valve

(15 min adm. + 20 min washouta) ×3

8.7

#7 Emergency room

(59 min adm. + 20 min washouta) ×3

129.6

#8 Emergency room

On-demand valve

(15 min adm. + 20 min washouta) ×3

4.2

#9 Emergency room

(59 min adm. + 20 min washouta) ×3

64.2

#10 Emergency room

Adult

10

Double door

Without on-demand valve

(15 min adm. + 20 min washouta) ×3

48.3

#11 Emergency room

(59 min adm. + 20 min washouta) ×3

371.4

#12 Emergency room

On-demand valve

(15 min adm. + 20 min washouta) ×3

21.9

#13 Emergency room

(59 min adm. + 20 min washouta) ×3

175.5

#14 Obstetrics

Adult

15

Extraction system (15 vol/h)

On-demand valve Intermittent inhalationb

(59 min adm. + 40 min washouta) ×1

2.0

#15 Radiology

Adult

15

Single door

On-demand valve

(10 min adm. + 30 min washouta) ×1

4.6

#16 Radiology

(30 min adm. + 30 min washouta) ×1

23.7

  1. Each scenario is defined by an associated real-life situation (e.g., dentistry, emergency room, etc.), the patient type (adult or child), the room size, the room ventilation mode (natural ventilation such as window or door opening, or mechanical ventilation system with a change volume rate of 5 vol/h or 15 vol/h), the administration mode (with or without on-demand valve), and the EMONO usage (i.e., administration duration plus computed wash-out time, and number of successive usages). The TWA-8 h ppm values computed at the HCP’s mouth are also presented. Bold values are below the most restrictive OEL of 25 TWA-8 h ppm. Note that the computed TWA-8 h ppm values are above the less restrictive OEL (100 ppm) for three scenarios only. aSee the text for a definition of the wash-out time. bIntermittent inhalation corresponds to successive periods of 3 min with EMONO administration and 3 min without EMONO administration
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Annals of Occupational and Environmental Medicine

ISSN: 2052-4374

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