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House approves bill to require surgical smoke evacuation in operating rooms, passes 171-31
Summary
The House gave final passage to legislation requiring surgical smoke control measures in operating rooms after backers said the smoke contains carcinogens and poses a health risk to nurses and operating-room staff. The bill passed 171-31.
Harrisburg — The Pennsylvania House on Tuesday gave final passage to legislation that would require surgical smoke evacuation devices in operating rooms, with the final vote recorded at 171 yeas to 31 nays.
The bill, referred to on the floor as House Bill 27, was championed by Representative Bonner (Mercer), who described surgical smoke from lasers and cauterizing devices as containing "carbon monoxide, harmful bacteria, hydrocarbons, toxic gases, viral risks, and dangerous carcinogens." He said smoke control wands and local suction devices — not whole-HVAC renovations — are available and would remove the smoke before it exposes staff. "Studies have also shown that nurses who put their lives on the line each day are equated to having smoked 1 to 1 and a half packs per day of cigarettes by being exposed to these particular harmful particles," Representative Bonner said on the House floor.
Co-sponsor Representative Khan (Philadelphia), who identified himself as a nurse, told members he had heard from nurses about illness and repeated exposure to surgical smoke and urged support for the measure. "As a nurse, as a legislator, to protect our health care workers, to protect our nurses," Khan said, he asked members for an affirmative vote.
Proponents noted OSHA has recognized surgical smoke as a hazard to hospital workers and said 18 states have already regulated surgical smoke. Support letters for the bill were mentioned from the Pennsylvania Department of Health and the Pennsylvania Rural Health Association; the Pennsylvania Orthopedic Society also backed the bill, according to remarks on the floor.
The final passage vote was recorded after a roll-call. The clerk reported the yeas as 171 and the nays as 31. The bill will be sent to the Senate for concurrence.
Why it matters: The bill targets workplace safety in hospitals and specifically addresses exposure risk for nurses and other operating-room personnel. Supporters said the measure is a narrow, equipment-level safety standard that can be implemented without system-wide HVAC reconstruction; opponents raised procedural or cost concerns during debate.
Ending: With final passage in the House, the bill now proceeds to the Senate for consideration and potential further action.
