Environmental and biological measurements of the anesthetic isoflurane and its possible toxic effects in veterinarians

Abstract

We evaluated both environmental (workplace) and biological (urine) exposure to the anesthetic isoflurane concerning the effects of such exposure on the hematological, hepatic, and renal parameters in veterinarians. Samples were collected from exposed and nonexposed (volunteers) groups to assess hematological and several biochemical markers, and isoflurane was measured in the workplace air and veterinarian’s urine. Isoflurane was detected at high levels in the air and urine. No differences were observed in hematological parameters between the groups, although the number of monocytes increased among veterinarians, values were within the normal range. No significant differences were found in the hepatic enzymes or renal parameters between the groups, and all marker levels were within the normal range. In conclusion, urinary isoflurane is a suitable internal biomarker for monitoring occupational exposure and is associated with veterinary workplace measurements, and that occupational exposure is not associated with abnormal hematological or biochemical changes in veterinarians.