Expired News - Surgical anesthesia gases contribute to global warming, new study says - The Weather Network
Your weather when it really mattersTM

Country

Please choose your default site

Americas

Asia - Pacific

Europe

News
Anesthesia gases have a profound impact on surgery patients. According to a recent study, anesthetics also have a substantial impact on the planet. Find out how anesthetics impact global warming.

Surgical anesthesia gases contribute to global warming, new study says


Daksha Rangan
Digital Reporter

Saturday, April 11, 2015, 11:07 AM -

Anesthesia gases have a profound impact on surgery patients. According to a recent study, anesthetics also have a substantial impact on the planet.


NEW FEATURE: PRECIP START/STOP: Now we can help you predict when your area will see precipitation. Simply visit your city page and click the 3-Hour Precip Start Stop logo


New Peer-reviewed research published online in Geophysical Research Letters, a journal of the American Geophysical Union states that pre-surgery gases used to sedate patients are making a small contribution to man-made climate change.

The gases -- desflurane, isoflurane, and sevoflurane -- are the most common gases in anesthesia. Science Magazine says concentrations of these gases are increasingly appearing all over the world, even reaching Antarctica.

All three of these gases classify as greenhouse gases. Like carbon dioxide, the gases are capable of trapping heat in the atmosphere. The concern is with the potency of anesthetic gases. Medical Daily reports that these gases trap more heat per pound of gas emitted due to their potency levels.

Although the impact may seem insignificant, the study's researchers indicate otherwise. Currently there is no mandate requiring the containment and disposal of anesthetics, which means it is primarily released directly into the atmosphere.

Thumbnail image courtesy of Flickr.

SOURCES: Science Magazine | Medical Daily | Wiley Online Library | Live Science
Must See: Climate change messing with booze, 5 drinks we're losing.

Default saved
Close

Search Location

Close

Sign In

Please sign in to use this feature.