Smoke Plume
Laser or electrosurgical units may be required during surgical procedures. Smoke byproduct or "plume" is created when tissue is thermally destroyed. Smoke plume may contain toxic gases and vapors such as:
- benzene
Smoke plume may contain toxic gases and vapors.
- hydrogen cyanide and formaldehyde
- bio-aerosols
- dead and live cellular material (including blood fragments)
- viruses
The research is limited on transmission of disease through surgical smoke, but the potential for generating infectious viral fragments, particularly during treatment of venereal warts, may exist. Researchers have suggested the smoke may act as a vector for cancerous cells which may be inhaled by the surgical team and other exposed individuals.
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2-2. When is plume, or smoke byproduct, normally created?
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