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ISOFLURANE FACT SHEET

Prepared by the UCLA EH&S Staff (Rev. 12/02)

DESCRIPTION Isoflurane (Forane, 1-chloro-2,2,2-trifluoroethyldifluoromethyl ether) is a halogenated hydrocarbon that is clear, colorless, volatile liquid at ordinary temperature and pressure. It has a mild, ether-like odor. PHYSICAL HAZARDS Although isoflurane is nonflammable, a fire can cause it to decompose to toxic compounds including phosgene, hydrogen chloride, and hydrogen fluoride. POTENTIAL HEALTH HAZARDS Animal studies have thus far revealed no significant evidence for mutagenicity, genotoxicity, or carcinogenicity. No teratogenic effects have been observed except for decreased fetal weight in the offspring of mice. Isoflurane has the largest circulatory margin of safety of all potent halogenated agents. SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS Acute exposure: nausea, vomiting, skin irritation, nose/throat/respiratory irritation, headache, dizziness, and drowsiness. Chronic exposure: hypotension, tachycardia, respiratory depression, and elevated blood glucose levels. Isoflurane produces fluorides, which are potentially nephrotoxic. However, there is a resistance to isoflurane degradation, which may explain its minimal or absent hepatoxicity and nephrotoxicity effects. Nephrotoxicity, hepatic failure or prolonged neurologic depression after cessation of isoflurane exposure have not been described. EXPOSURE LIMITS AND TOXICOLOGY OSHA has not established a permissible exposure limit for isoflurane. It is recommended that no worker 3 should be exposed to greater than 2 ppm (15.09 mg/m for isoflurane) of any halogenated anesthetic agent, based on the weight of the agent collected for a 45-liter air sample by charcoal absorption over a sampling period not to exceed one hour. CONTROL MEASURES AS RECOMMENDED BY OSHA Engineering controls: isoflurane must be administered by an approved anesthetic gas machine with a scavenging system in a well-ventilated room or in a certified fume hood. Personal protective equipment: skin contact with liquid isoflurane should be prevented by wearing gloves and aprons/lab coats; eye contact should be prevented by wearing chemical goggles or face shields. Respirators, where needed, should be selected based on the anticipated contamination level. Work practices: liquid isoflurane should be stored in cool, well-ventilated areas away from direct sunlight and sources of ignition or open flames. Isoflurane reacts strongly upon contact with peroxides. Spills of liquid anesthetic agents should be cleaned up promptly. A complete anesthesia apparatus checkout procedure should be performed each day before the first case. An abbreviated version should be performed each subsequent case. Administrative practices: comply with existing federal, state, and local regulations and guidelines developed to minimize personnel exposure to waste anesthetic gases including the proper disposal of hazardous chemicals. DISPOSAL Isoflurane must be properly disposed according to the UCLA Chemical Waste Management Program. FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION Contact Biosafety Division of EH&S at extension 55689.

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