Hazardous drugs, such as those used for chemotherapy, may be used to heal patients, but they can pose a serious hazard to workers. These drugs can get in the air or on work surfaces, clothing, and medical equipment. They can also be found in patient urine or feces. Even with low-level exposures, workers could suffer irreversible effects. For that reason, measures must be taken to provide appropriate protection to workers that handle hazardous or potentially hazardous drugs.
A drug is labeled hazardous when it is:
A drug is also labeled as hazardous if the drug maker recommends special isolation or other techniques to handle, administer, or dispose of it.
According to the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), those with the greatest potential for exposure to dangerous drugs are doctors, nurses, pharmacy personnel, operating room personnel, lab researchers, veterinary care workers, environmental services workers, and shipping and receiving personnel. Activities that increase exposure potential include administering drugs to patients, packaging or processing drugs, and drug disposal. Studies reveal that surface areas where hazardous drugs are mixed, stored, administered, and disposed of, as well as where patients are cared for, are typical sources of exposure.
Primary routes of exposure include:
While federal OSHA does not have a comprehensive regulation for hazardous drugs, the agency offers some worker protections as listed in the Regulatory citations list below. Note also that state-plan states may have regulations specific to hazardous drugs, so check your state regulations.