Pollution of the environment with these agents is a hazard to personnel. Fume hoods, scavenging devices, etc., must be used to remove waste anesthetic gases from the air. Volatile Liquids Ether is highly flammable with several serious inherent hazards to humans and not recommended for use . Ethyl ether is extremely hazardous due to its flammable and explosive properties. Exposure to light or heat can cause the formation of unstable peroxides.
Residues containing peroxides are shock sensitive and thus are potentially an ether-bomb.
Individuals exposed to ether may experience irritation of eyes, nose, and throat following short-term overexposure. Long-term overexposure may result in loss of appetite, dizziness, drowsiness, headache, exhaustion, excitation, and mental disturbances. If used, ether should only be used in an explosion-proof fume hood designed for that purpose. It should never be used with electrical equipment that might spark an explosion. Animals euthanized with ether should be held in an explosion-proof refrigerator before disposal.