Sentry Air Systems has put together this presentation on the hazards of medical and veterinary laser fumes and its effects on one's health. Here you will find a variety of laser fume extraction systems and filters.

1. Medical & Veterinary
Laser Procedures
Hazards of Laser Fumes
A presentation by
© 2013 Sentry Air Systems, Inc.
All Rights Reserved.

2. • The term “laser” stands for light amplification
by stimulated emission of radiation.
• Ordinary light has many wavelengths and
spreads in all directions. Laser light, on the
other hand, has a specific wavelength.
What are Lasers?
Lasers focus in a narrow beam and create a very high-intensity light.

3. Types of Lasers
Class
FDA
Class
IEC
Laser Product Hazard Product Examples
I 1, 1M Considered non-hazardous. Hazard increases if viewed with optical
aids, including magnifiers, binoculars, or telescopes.
•Laser printers
•CD players
•DVD players
IIa, II 2, 2M Hazard increases when viewed directly for long periods of time.
Hazard increases if viewed with optical aids.
•Bar code scanners
IIIa 3R Depending on power and beam area, can be momentarily hazardous
when directly viewed or when staring directly at the beam with an
unaided eye. Risk of injury increases when viewed with optical aids.
•Laser pointers
IIIb 3B Immediate skin hazard from direct beam and immediate eye hazard
when viewed directly.
•Laser light show
•Projectors
•Industrial lasers
•Research lasers
IV 4 Immediate skin hazard and eye hazard from exposure to either the
direct or reflected beam; may also present a fire hazard.
•Laser light show
•Projectors
•Industrial lasers
•Research lasers
•Lasers used to perform LASIK eye surgery

4. Laser Fumes or “Plumes”
• A term used to refer to the “cloud” of contaminants
created when there is an interaction between the
beam and the target matter.
• These air contaminants are mostly associated with
Class 3B and 4 lasers.
• Ranges from metallic fumes and dust, to chemical
fumes and aerosols containing biological
contaminants.

5. Laser Fumes or “Plumes”
• Examples include
– Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (from mode burns on
poly-type polymers)
– Hydrogen cyanide and benzene (from cutting of aromatic
polyamide fibers)
– Fused silica (from cutting quartz)
– Heavy metals (from etching)
– Benzene (from cutting polyvinyl chloride)
– Cyanide, formaldehyde and synthetic and natural fibers
(associated with other processes)

6. • Cosmetic surgery
• Refractive eye surgery
• Dental procedures
• General surgery
• Veterinary procedures
Medical Applications
Photo source: http://www.allpetsvh.com/veterinary-services/laser-therapy.html
Photo source: http://www.dentistlasvegas-nv.com/laser-dentist/

7. Hazards to Avoid
• Laser Generated Airborne Contaminants (LGAC)
– LGACs can form during disruption of tissue cells by heat (lasers,
electrosurgical generators), mechanical manipulation (rotary
devices, saws), or ultrasonic instruments.
– This disruption can cause the release of plume, which may contain
viable bacteria, viruses, cellular debris, particulates, noxious and
toxic aerosols, gases, vapors, or fumes.
– Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, human papillomavirus,
human immunodeficiency virus, and hepatitis B virus have been
found in laser plume.
– Many different chemicals have also been found in plume including,
carbon monoxide, hydrogen sulfide, ammonia, toluene, styrene,
phenol, benzyl cyanide, and hydrocyanic acid.

8. Preventative Measures
• In general, there are three major control
measures available
1. Filtered ventilation units
2. Respiratory protection
3. Isolation of the process
Sentry Air Systems designs and manufactures laser fume extractors
equipped with a variety of filters for your unique application.

9. Exhaust Port Connection
Mounted Fume Extraction
Connects to most laser systems
Mounted Sentry
SS-200-MS
Up to 100 CFM
Mounted Sentry
SS-300-MS
Up to 350 CFM
Mounted Sentry
SS-400/450-MS
Up to 700/950 CFM

10. Source-Capture Standalone
Portable Fume Extraction
Floor Sentry
SS-200-FS
Up to 100 CFM
Portable Floor Sentry
SS-300-PFS
Up to 350 CFM
Portable Floor Sentry
SS-400/450-PFS
Up to 700/950 CFM

11. Multiple Exhaust Ports
Mounted Fume Extraction
Floor Sentry Double
SS-300-FSD
Up to 350 CFM
Floor Sentry Double
SS-400/450-FSD
Up to 700/950 CFM

12. Filters
HEPA Filters
Up to 99.97% efficient
On particles 0.3 microns and larger
ULPA Filters
Up to 99.9995% efficient
On particles 0.12 microns and larger
Activated Carbon Filters
Efficiency varies per chemical
Specialty Blended Filters
Efficiency varies per chemical

13. Testimonial
"I have a busy laser practice in Maryland
and have been using the Sentry plume
extractor for nearly two years. The unit is
quiet and efficient. The HEPA filter assures
me that we are using the most advanced
technology available to ensure patient and
staff safety. I highly recommend this unit
for any medical practice that desires worry
free performance as an adjunct to their
laser procedures."
Dr. Mark E. Spier
Laser Treatments
Reisterstown, MD
Floor Sentry
SS-200-FS
Up to 100 CFM

14. For more information on Sentry Air Systems’ line of Laser Fume
Extractors, contact us at:
1.800.799.4609
www.sentryair.com
sales@sentryair.com
Visit our blog
**The presentation has been compiled in good faith by Sentry Air Systems, Inc. and no representation is
made as to the completeness or accuracy of the information it contains. In particular, you should be aware
that this information may be incomplete, may contain errors or may have become out of date. Sentry Air
Systems, Inc. makes no commitment, and disclaims any duty, to update this information.

15. Resources
• http://web.princeton.edu/sites/ehs/laserguide/sec2.htm
• http://www.fda.gov/radiation-
emittingproducts/radiationemittingproductsandprocedures/surgicalandtherapeutic/ucm1
15910.htm
• http://www.lia.org/publications/ansi/Z136-3
• http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3050618/