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Environmental Effects
The National Institute for Occupational Safety and
Health (NIOSH) have recommended exposure
limits as follows (Ref. 1).
NO
time-weighted (8 hours) average
concentration limit of 25 ppm
NO
ceiling limit of 1 ppm.
2
The environmental build up of NO in a well
ventilated ICU room can be evaluated using the
following calculation.
Room size
Room volume
Room ventilation
(6 complete exchanges/hour)
NO flow into the room
Average NO room
concentration
(80 x 14) ÷ 2,830
(80 x 14) ÷ 2,830 = 0.396 ppm
(0.4 ppm)
This theoretical calculation can be supplemented by
measurements as performed by Hess et al (Ref. 2).
The NO and NO
concentrations were measured
2
using a chemiluminescence analyzer when 100
ppm of NO at 8 L/min was delivered into a room
with no scavenging being used. The maximum NO
and NO
concentrations measured over a one hour
2
period were 0.12 ppm of NO and 0.03 ppm of NO
1-30
Both these methods show that the exposure levels
are significantly less than the levels recommended
by NIOSH.
If the location for using NO has uncertain
ventilation then the location should be evaluated for
NO and NO
References:
(Ref. 1) Centers for Disease Control, Atlanta, GA
(Ref. 2) Hess et al, Use of Inhaled Nitric Oxide in
1000 ft
3
28,300 L
2,830 L/min
80 ppm at
14 L/min
0.4 ppm of NO
.
2
build up prior to use.
2
30333 USA.
NIOSH Recommendations for Occupational
Safety and Health Standards 1988.
August 26, 1988 / vol. 37 / No. 9.
patients with Acute Respiratory Distress
Syndrome.
Respiratory Care, 1996, vol. 41, No. 5,
pg. 424-446.
Part No. 20568 Rev-02
2015-08
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