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Occupational Exposures to Antineoplastic Drugs in an Oncology-Hematology Department



Details

  • Personal Author:
  • Description:
    Approximately 100 antineoplastic drugs are used for the treatment of cancer and other diseases. Commonly referred to as chemotherapy drugs, antineoplastics act by preventing or inhibiting the growth of neoplasms. However, due to the nonselective nature of these agents, noncancerous cells can also be affected. In vitro and in vivo studies demonstrate that antineoplastic drugs possess mutagenic, teratogenic, and carcinogenic properties. Because cytotoxic and genotoxic effects are associated with these drugs, significant risks exist for health care workers who handle antineoplastics. Occupational risks associated with antineoplastic drug exposures were identified in the 1970s by the observation of an increase in sister chromatic exchanges in nurses who handle antineoplastic drugs. Since then, several studies using environmental sampling and biomonitoring suggest health care workers are occupationally exposed to antineoplastic agents. The National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) has compiled several case studies that suggest both acute and long-term health effects due to antineoplastic drug exposures. Pharmacy staff who prepare antineoplastics and nursing staff who handle or administer these drugs to patients have reported acute effects, such as hair loss, irritation, hypersensitivity, and headaches after reported skin contact. Negative reproductive health outcomes are also associated with antineoplastic exposure. [Description provided by NIOSH]
  • Subjects:
  • Keywords:
  • ISSN:
    1545-9624
  • Document Type:
    Text
  • Funding:
    Cooperative Agreement
  • Genre:
    Journal Article
  • Place as Subject:
  • CIO:
    National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
  • Topic:
    Workplace Safety & Health
  • Location:
    North America
  • Volume:
    8
  • Issue:
    1
  • NIOSHTIC Number:
    nn:20069295
  • Citation:
    J Occup Environ Hyg 2011 Jan; 8(1):D1-D6
  • Contact Point Address:
    Chandran Achutan, College of Public Health, University of Nebraska Medical Center, 985840 Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198-5840
  • Email:
    cachutan@unmc.edu
  • Federal Fiscal Year:
    2011
  • Performing Organization:
    University of Nebraska Medical Center - Omaha
  • Peer Reviewed:
    True
  • Start Date:
    20110901
  • Source Full Name:
    Journal of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
  • End Date:
    20270831
  • Collection(s):
  • Main Document Checksum:
    urn:sha-512:d4a17adeebdb2b9c8ca1da185eaca826c202c5a36400d1f2ebf797811cb72b432d66c7b36639980e472cc52532fa068bee1c15dd4cf9ccc0374b910a0981adee
  • Download URL:
  • File Type:
    Filetype[PDF - 280.98 KB ]
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