The Dangers of
Surgical Smoke
Know the health risks of surgical smoke
Over 500,000 healthcare workers are exposed to surgical smoke every year.5,([FOOTNOTE=Laser/Electrosurgery Plume. Occupational Safety & Health Administration Website. https://www.osha.gov/SLTC/laserelectrosurgeryplume/index.html. Accessed April 4, 2019.],[ANCHOR=],[LINK=]) More than 150 hazardous chemicals have been identified in surgical smoke.([FOOTNOTE=Pierce JS, Lacey SE, Lippert JF, Lopez R, Franke JE. Laser-generated air contaminants from medical laser applications: a state-of-the-science review of exposure characterization, health effects, and control. J Occup Environ Hyg. 2011;8(7):447–466.],[ANCHOR=],[LINK=]) And some experts estimate that the amount of surgical smoke produced daily in the OR equals 27 to 30 cigarettes.6
Help protect yourself, your team, and your patients. Our Valleylab™ smoke evacuation pencils capture smoke directly at the source.3,4