Health care workers and hazardous chemicals: NIOSH webpage highlights survey results

Washington – NIOSH has created an online topic page spotlighting a survey that examines hazardous drugs and chemical hazards present in the health care industry.

Conferring with 21 health care professional practice organizations, NIOSH developed and administered an online survey that included a screening module, seven hazard modules and a core module. The survey analyzed the chemical hazards of aerosolized medications, anesthetic gases, antineoplastic drugs, chemical sterilants, high-level disinfectants and surgical smoke. Respondents could complete the survey if they had used or come into contact with any of the chemicals at least seven days before taking the survey.

NIOSH aimed to accomplish the following through the survey:

• Gain better understanding about the circumstances of health care worker exposure to chemicals.
• Evaluate the use of best practices to minimize exposure.
• Examine barriers to using personal protective equipment and other exposure controls.

The topic page also features findings, recommendations, best practices and related articles.