What are waste anesthetic gases?

Waste anesthetic gases are small amounts of volatile anesthetic gases that leak from the patient’s anesthetic breathing circuit into the air of operating rooms during delivery of anesthesia. These gases may also be exhaled by patients recovering from anesthesia.

• Waste anesthetic gases include:
• Nitrous oxide; and

Halogenated anesthetics such as halothane, enflurane, isoflurane, and desflurane The halogenated anesthetics are often administered in combination with nitrous oxide. Nitrous oxide and some of the halogenated anesthetics may pose a hazard to hospital workers.