HAZARDOUS DRUG EXPOSURES IN HEALTHCARE

Various acute toxic effects of antineoplastic agents are well documented in patients treated with high doses of these agents. These include such effects as nausea, rashes, hair loss, liver and kidney damage, hearing loss, cardiac and hematapoetic toxicities and others. Some of these effects have been documented in workers handling antineoplastic agents. A number of studies have shown these effects to be more prevalent in workers exposed to the antineoplastic agents than in control populations.

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Only a limited number of studies have examined chronic health effects related to occupational exposure to antineoplastic agents. However, chronic effects in patients treated with these agents are well documented. Other areas where chronic effects may be seen are in effects on fertility and the observation of cancer in health care workers handling antineoplastic agents.

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Effects on fertility and reproductive health have been seen in a number of studies, mainly in female nurses.

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There is a limited amount of evidence in the literature concerning occupational cancer related to antineoplastic agents. There are a few case reports that have appeared in the literature and two epidemiological studies that address this issue. In addition, Sessink et al (1993) have calculated the risk of excess cancer in workers exposed to cyclophosphamide.

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