Skip to main content

System Status: 

Safe Use of Anesthetic Gases in Research Environments

See requirements for safe use and handling of anesthetic gases at UC San Diego.

Anesthetic gases are used to prevent pain and other sensations during surgery and are covered under the Chemical Hygiene Plan.

Anesthetic gases and vapors that leak into the workplace are considered waste anesthetic gases and may pose a health hazard. Appropriately scavenging both the product and waste products is essential to ensure workplace safety and reduce exposure.

Requirement for researchers

UC San Diego researchers working with isoflurane and other volatile anesthetic gases must complete the Volatile Anesthetics hazard control plan (HCP) in the Chemical Hazard Use Application (CHUA). This HCP must be preapproved by the principal investigator prior to beginning any work with this material. Information on this Blink page is supplementary and is not intended to replace the approved HCP.

These requirements are intended for use in a veterinary research environment.

Calibration | Certification of vaporizers

Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC), in collaboration with Environment, Health & Safety, requires vaporizers to be operated according to manufacturer recommendations.

Anesthetic vaporizers must be calibrated/certified at a minimum once every 3 years.

Hazard evaluation

Evaluate the possible hazards of the materials and processes you intend to use before you begin work.

Consult safety resources

Consult with knowledgeable colleagues

Contact one or both of the staff below if you have questions or concerns about work with anesthetic gases:

Policy and regulations

Questions? Contact the EH&S Chemical Hygiene Officer.
Note: this page has a friendly link that's easy to remember: http://blink.ucsd.edu/go/anestheticgas