Laser Generated Air Contaminants

Laser fumes according to carnegie mellon university laser beams are hazardous during the cutting or engraving process because laser generated air contaminants are released.

Laser generated air contaminants.

They also contain carbon monoxide polyaromatic hydrocarbons and various toxic gases and vapours. Hydrogen cyanide and benzene from cutting of aromatic polyamide fibers. Harmful emissions are typically associated with class 3b or 4 lasers. Heavy metals from etching.

Fused silica from cutting quartz. Plumes may also contain bioaerosols viruses blood fragments and bacteria depending on the type of the procedure. Laser generated air contaminants lgacs may be generated when certain class 3b and class 4 lasers beams interact with matter. Ansi z136 3 7 4 laser generated airborne contaminants lgac.

Laser generated airborne contaminants can form during disruption of tissue cells by heat lasers electrosurgical generators mechanical manipulation rotary devices saws or ultrasonic instruments. Nonetheless when biological tissue is subjected to laser radiation the target cells can be vaporized resulting in the aerosolization of their contents and the subsequent exposure of health care workers to laser generated air contaminants lgacs. Plume and airborne contaminants pac. Laser generated air contaminants lgacs when the beam irradiance exceeds 1 000 w cm2 an evaluation shall be performed by an industrial hygienist to identify engineering controls for laser generated air contaminants.

Places where irradiances exceed 10 000 w cm2 shall be enclosed to the maximum extent practical and be properly ventilated. Laser generated air contaminants polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons from mode burns on poly methyl methacrylate type polymers. Benzene from cutting polyvinyl chloride. Laser plume may contain carcinogens mutagens irritants and fine dusts.

Pac lgac produced during surgical and aesthetic procedures are a result of the vaporization or disruption of tissue at the cellular level. Technologists are exposed to laser generated air contaminants lgacs orelectrosurgicalsmoke 1 thelasersurgicalsmoke or plume is generated as the result of target cells being heated to the point of boiling causing the membranes to rupture as well as pyrolysis and combustion of the target material 2. Most compounds detected in the thermal desorption air samples were also detected in the bulk sample and the residue was acidic ph 3.