GUIDELINES FOR THE SAFE HANDLING OF CYTOTOXIC DRUGS INTRODUCTION

BASILDON AND THURROCK HOSPITAL GUIDELINES (Revised Oct 1997)

 Revised Feb 2001 Dr P Cervi

INTRODUCTION

It is now recognised that cytotoxic agents represent a health hazard for those members of staff who are regularly involved in their preparation and administration.

There are two principle risks, one definite and one potential.  The definite risk results from fact that a number of cytotoxic agents are extremely irritant and produce harmful effect after direct contact with the skin and eyes.

The potential risks stem from the knowledge that some cytotoxic agents are proven carcinogens and a number of studies monitoring hospital staff who were involved in preparing or giving these agents have demonstrated chromosomal abnormalities and excretion of mutagenic products in the urine.  The abnormalities disappeared once exposure to the drug ceased and the actual amount of drug absorbed was extremely small.  The risk, although a theoretical possibility, is there and must be taken seriously.