Specifications

iii
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1.0 Introduction .......................................................................................................1
2.0 Literature Review..............................................................................................1
2.1 Formaldehyde ..................................................................................................................... 1
2.2 Nitrous Oxide...................................................................................................................... 3
2.2.1 Labour and Delivery ................................................................................................... 3
2.2.2 Exposure Limits.......................................................................................................... 4
2.2.3 Potential Health Effects .............................................................................................. 5
2.2.4 Control Measures........................................................................................................ 6
3.0 Workplace Description .....................................................................................7
3.1 Dirty Core Area................................................................................................................... 7
3.2 Maternity Ward................................................................................................................... 8
4.0 Survey Equipment and Procedure ..................................................................9
4.1 Formaldehyde ..................................................................................................................... 9
4.1.1 Equipment................................................................................................................... 9
4.1.2 Procedure .................................................................................................................... 9
4.1.3 Silica Gel Tubes........................................................................................................ 10
4.1.4 Colorimetric Detector Tubes..................................................................................... 10
4.1.5 Smoke Tubes............................................................................................................. 11
4.1.6 Strategy ..................................................................................................................... 11
4.2 Nitrous Oxide.................................................................................................................... 11
4.2.1 Equipment................................................................................................................. 11
4.2.2 Procedure ..................................................................................................................12
4.2.3 Miran......................................................................................................................... 13
4.2.4 Medigas 3010 personal sampler................................................................................ 13
4.2.5 Passive Dosimeter Badges ........................................................................................ 14
4.2.6 Ventilation Testing ................................................................................................... 14
4.2.7 Strategy ..................................................................................................................... 15
5.0 Results ..............................................................................................................15
5.1 Formaldehyde ................................................................................................................... 15
5.1.1 Silica Gel Tubes – Area Samples.............................................................................. 15
5.1.2 Colorimetric Tubes – Personal Samples................................................................... 15
5.1.3 Smoke Tubes............................................................................................................. 16
5.2 Nitrous Oxide.................................................................................................................... 16
5.2.1 Miran......................................................................................................................... 16
5.2.2 Medigas 3010............................................................................................................ 17
5.2.3 Passive Dosimeter Badges ........................................................................................ 18
5.2.4 Overall results ........................................................................................................... 18
5.2.5 Ventilation Testing ................................................................................................... 18
6.0 Discussion.........................................................................................................19
6.1 Formaldehyde ................................................................................................................... 19
6.2 Nitrous Oxide.................................................................................................................... 19
7.0 Conclusions ......................................................................................................23
8.0 RECOMMENDATIONS................................................................................24