Iowa State University Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee

Iowa State University Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee Effective Date: 5-7-2014 SOP ID Number: 206.02 Approved Date: 5-7-2014 Revised Date: 4-5-2017 SOP Title: Anesthetic Gas Usage Safety Precaution Last Reviewed: 4-5-2017

Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) Standard Operating Procedure

ANESTHETIC GAS USAGE SAFETY PRECAUTION

1. Purpose

This procedure describes waste anesthetic gas scavenging systems and safety precautions that should be used when personnel are using gas anesthetics during their research or teaching with animals. Utilizing inhalant anesthetic gases for animal anesthesia presents an occupational health risk via unintended human exposure. This standard operating procedure (SOP) provides acceptable methods for reducing personnel potential exposure to airborne waste anesthetic gases (WAG).

2. Scope

This SOP is applicable to all ISU staff, research investigators, and technicians who administer gas anesthetics to research and teaching animals. ISU staff, research investigators, and technicians are expected to understand the content of SOPs related to their work responsibilities.

3. General Requirements

All ISU staff, research investigators and technicians using gas anesthetics must be familiar with their use and administration to minimize exposure to airborne waste anesthetic gases (WAG). Training must be provided to ensure proper usage of equipment. Exposure to WAG should be controlled with a combination of engineering, work practice and administrative controls as outlined below.

4. Procedure

A. IACUC Protocol, Training, and Records 1. All anesthetic gas usage must be noted on the IACUC protocol. All individuals responsible for gas anesthesia must be trained on this SOP and the WAG Safety Data Sheet (SDS).

of 5 Office for Responsible Research Iowa State University 2. Training records are maintained by an employee’s supervisor and should be provided upon request. B. Maintenance of Equipment 1. Anesthetic gas equipment must be maintained and be in good working condition. 2. Anesthetic vaporizer gas delivery machines must be certified annually by an outside vendor to determine accurate delivery of the inhalant anesthetic and absence of equipment leaks. 3. Activated charcoal canisters (e.g., F/air) must be weighed after each use following the procedure below: a) Remove the activated charcoal canister from the anesthesia machine. b) Use a gram scale to weigh the canister. Record the date and weight directly on the canister in the chart provided. c) Shake the canister briefly to evenly redistribute contents.

d) Reattach canister to the machine or induction box; place the canister in the holder to maintain a vertical orientation and assure the canister holes are not obstructed. Activated charcoal filters must be used in a vertical position. For benchtop canister use ensure that holes are not obstructed by using a canister holder to hold the canister off the surface of the counter.Discard the canister after a 50-gram increase in weight. e) To discard, seal canister inside a sealed plastic bag and place in the regular trash. Note: Activated charcoal canisters only absorb halogenated anesthetics (e.g., isoflurane & halothane). Do not use with Nitrous oxide. 4. Equipment records (e.g., vaporizer certification and F/air canister monitoring) are maintained by PIs or by personnel in charge of the equipment and should be provided upon request. C. Anesthetic Gas Delivery 1. Anesthetic Vaporizer: When using an anesthetic vaporizer, waste gas should be scavenged actively through a house vacuum or actively and passively [e.g., active anesthetic evacuation system (A.E.S., Surgivet) feeding a charcoal canister]. 2. Anesthetic Gas Induction Chambers a) Scavenging system: Anesthetic induction chambers must use an active scavenging system where anesthetic gas flows through an F/air canister. Note: Laboratory Animal Resources (LAR) has a VetEquip™ induction chamber that connects to a vacuum pump and draws air from the open cover of the induction chamber through an F/air canister.

of 5 Office for Responsible Research Iowa State University b) Fume hood: Non-ventilated or non-filtered induction chambers must be used within a fume hood or in a Class II, Type B2 biosafety cabinet. 3. Anesthesia of rodents using saturated cotton balls or other absorbent material must be conducted in a fume hood or in a Class II, Type B2 biosafety cabinet. Contact Environmental Health and Safety (EH&S) (515-294-5359) for potential exceptions to this recommendation based upon historical air monitoring. D. Prevent Exposure to Anesthetic Gases 1. To prevent and/or minimize human exposure to waste anesthetic gases (WAG), the following guidelines must be observed: a) Work with anesthetic gases must be conducted in a well-ventilated area. b) Space between the source of the gas and yourself must be maintained; gas concentration decreases substantially over distance. c) Whenever possible, an animal should be intubated with an anesthetic machine that includes an active scavenging system. If a face mask is used, ensure that a tight seal of the mask around the animal’s nose and mouth is maintained. d) Keep induction chamber lid closed on any compartment where anesthetic gas is flowing. Induction chambers should be cleaned with a standard laboratory cleaning agent between animals and/or uses. E. Monitoring 1. Employee exposure monitoring for anesthetic gases is conducted by EH&S. Contact EH&S (515-294-5359) if any of the following situations occur: a) Anesthetic gas can be smelled. b) Personnel complain of fatigue or headaches when or after using the anesthetic equipment. c) An anesthesia mask is used over an animal’s mouth and nose without an active scavenging system. F. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) 1. A lab coat, nitrile gloves, and safety eyewear are recommended when handling WAG liquids. 2. A lab coat and safety glasses are recommended when handling or using compressed gas cylinders. Hard-toes shoe should be worn during cylinder handling and transporation. 3. Always consult a gas’s SDS for other recommended PPE.

of 5 Office for Responsible Research Iowa State University 5. Roles and Responsibilities

Roles Responsibilities Principal Investigator  Train personnel about the usage of anesthetic gases and the operation of the equipment  Ensure proper operation and maintenance of anesthetic equipment  Ensure personnel wear appropriate PPE Environmental Health and Safety  Monitor anesthetic gas concentrations as needed

6. Definitions

7. Health and Safety Information

Follow guidelines listed in section 4 describing PPE and steps to minimize exposure. Anesthetic gases are highly volatile and aerosolize easily. Follow the steps listed below for spill clean up.

Small spill (few milliliters)

• Evacuate personnel from immediate area. Allow spilled liquid to evaporate.

• Ensure adequate ventilation.

• Wear appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) (including activated carbon respirator).

• Review cleaning/spill procedures found in MSDS.

• If any residual liquid is to be picked-up, use absorbent pads. Dispose of absorbent along with other chemical waste following the University chemical waste procedures.

• Clean spill area with soap and water.

Large spill (1-2 bottles)

• Evacuate immediate area. Page 4 of 5 Office for Responsible Research Iowa State University • DO NOT attempt to clean up large spills of isoflurane: immediately evacuate the spill area and close all doors.

• Activate the building and area fire alarms. Alert all personnel in the immediate area to evacuate.

• Call the 911

• Secure entry points with banner tape or other means to prevent entry into area.

• Wait outside the laboratory for emergency responders.

• Wait for instructions from Environmental Health & Safety before re-entering the laboratory.

8. Appendices

9. Forms and Templates

10. References

Cornell University. Cornell Center for Animal Resources and Education. Care 712.01- Waste Anesthetic Gas Scavenging Systems. August 2010.

11. Contact Information

Direct questions about this SOP or waste anesthetic gases to Environmental Health and Safety, Iowa State University, 515-294-5359.

Direct questions about the LAR induction chamber to LAR Medical, Laboratory Animal Resources, Iowa State University, 515-294-8507, [email protected].

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