Work-practice guidelines for personnel dealing with cytotoxic drugs (CDs) are presented. Current practices in the preparation, storage, administration, and disposal of CDs may expose pharmacists, nurses, physicians, and other health-care workers to high environmental levels of these drugs. OSHA has developed these guidelines to protect health-care workers from unnecessary exposure to CDs. A brief summary of the short-term and long-term hazards known to be associated with these drugs is presented. The risks to workers handling CDs are a combined result of the drugs' inherent toxicity and the extent to which workers are directly exposed to CDs via inhalation, absorption, and ingestion. Work-practice guidelines that can limit the exposure of workers to CDs and the equipment necessary to carry out these practices properly are described.

 

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