Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility PA House passes bill protecting healthcare workers from surgical smoke

PA House passes bill protecting healthcare workers from surgical smoke

This legislation now heads to the Senate for consideration.

HARRISBURG, Feb. 4 – A bipartisan bill to protect healthcare workers from surgical smoke was passed by the Pennsylvania House today with broad support and is now on its way to the state Senate.

The legislation (H.B. 27) was introduced by state Reps. Tarik Khan, D-Phila., and Tim Bonner, R-Butler/Mercer. It is similar to a bill that was introduced by the pair last session, which also passed the House but ultimately failed to pass the Senate.

“As a nurse, I know the serious and sometimes catastrophic realities of toxic smoke exposure. Hospitals should be healing environments in safe spaces,” Khan said. “I’m thankful for the bipartisan support this bill has received. I’m proud to coauthor this bipartisan bill with Rep. Bonner to protect healthcare workers and patients from surgical smoke, and I look forward to getting this across the finish line!” 

The additional protections included in the legislation would ensure that operating rooms utilize surgical smoke evacuation systems to combat the adverse health effects of surgical smoke.

The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health has found that surgical smoke may contain toxic gasses, viruses, and bacteria, as well as more than 150 hazardous chemicals, and that burning 1 gram of tissue from surgical smoke has the same effect as breathing in three to six cigarettes.

“The House of Representatives showed strong bipartisan support in passing legislation to protect medical workers from dangerous surgical smoked created in the surgical process through laser surgery, power tools, and cauterization,” Bonner said. “Surgical workers are needlessly exposed to toxic fumes that can be easily addressed through smoke control systems which will hopefully be required in surgical rooms. It was a pleasure to work with Rep. Khan in passing this legislation.”

House Bill 27 mirrors legislation passed in other states requiring operating rooms in hospitals to utilize smoke evacuation systems.

This legislation now heads to the Senate for consideration.