ABSTRACT
Products that produce dangerous smoke particles or fumes should incorporate a means to evacuate them. Smoke is a byproduct of burning something, often in an incomplete manner due to the lack of a sufficient oxygen supply. It is typically a mixture of small solids, gases, and vapors. Gases, smoke, or vapors that smell strongly or are dangerous to inhale are called fumes. Smoke can be harmful because it is hot, contains dangerous chemicals and biohazards and deprives someone of the normal amount of oxygen. Inhaling surgical smoke can cause mild to potentially dangerous side effects including dizziness, headache, eye and respiratory irritation, nausea, vomiting, skin irritation, and potential carcinogens. Smoke evacuation invariably involves creating a partial vacuum near the source of smoke, thereby drawing the contaminated air away from people in its vicinity. Smoke evacuators are a common accessory to surgical devices that cauterize tissue. Smoke evacuators are also used in metalworking jobs, such as those involving welding and soldering.
