TORONTO - There are new guidelines to protect doctors and nurses from air-borne contaminants created by lasers and other heat-based surgical tools.
Tissue-searing tools generate a toxic smoke called plume that may contain contaminants like bacteria, viruses and toxic chemicals.
The Canadian Standards Association says research has shown that exposure to vapours from one gram of laser-cut tissue is like smoking three unfiltered cigarettes.
Several companies manufacture plume-capturing machines, and the non-profit CSA's new standard is designed to help health providers buy, properly use and maintain the equipment.
The voluntary standards are aimed at hospitals, dental offices, veterinary clinics and even esthetic spas that use lasers and other tools that create plume.
London, Ontario nurse Susan Taylor says it's not known how many Canadian hospitals have plume-excavating equipment.
But she says their use could prevent adverse effects in thousands of health-care workers.
