Estimating Air Pollution in Operation Rooms Generated from Cautery, Drills, and Other Equipment, Utilizing a Particulate Counter and Gas Analyzer.

Background: Air pollution, especially indoor air pollution, is increasingly recognized as a worldwide hazard that reduces life expectancy. Pollution caused by equipment such as surgical cautery is not just a nuisance but a workplace hazard that exposes the staff to respirable particulate matter and toxic chemical agents. It has not yet received much recognition in India, nor have mitigating measures like smoke evacuators and dedicated scavenging systems become prevalent.