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Multicenter Study
. 2025 Jul 1;67(7):571-579.
doi: 10.1097/JOM.0000000000003401. Epub 2025 Apr 18.

Occupational Exposure of Healthcare Workers During Drug Reconstitution and Handling Tasks: A Multicenter Assessment at Dutch Hospital Wards

Roland B van den Berg  1 , Percival Stubbs, Johanna R C Boumans-d'Onofrio, Christina W Swart, Femke B Steenstra, Paulien Oosterveld, Shiwai Ng, Marjolein Klous, Oscar Breukels, Eelco Kuijpers, Mirjam Crul
Affiliations
Multicenter Study

Occupational Exposure of Healthcare Workers During Drug Reconstitution and Handling Tasks: A Multicenter Assessment at Dutch Hospital Wards

Roland B van den Berg et al. J Occup Environ Med. .

Abstract

Objective: This study evaluated healthcare workers' occupational exposure to inhaled drugs during drug reconstitution and handling tasks, focusing on compliance with occupational exposure limits (OELs).

Methods: Ten nurses and pharmacy technicians were monitored during an 8-hour shift to measure inhalable particle concentrations using a portable sampling device.

Results: Inhalable particle concentrations ranged from <15 to 381 μg/m 3 (arithmetic mean 83 μg/m 3 ). Exposure to drugs in hazardous drug classes (HDCs) 1, 2, and 3 complied with OELs, while exposure to drugs in HDCs 4 and 5 exceeded OELs, highlighting the need for enhanced protective measures.

Conclusions: No additional precautions are needed for drugs in HDCs 1, 2, and 3, but dust exhaust or biosafety cabinets are recommended for handling drugs in HDCs 4 and 5.

Keywords: drug reconstitution; inhaled drug particles; occupational exposure; occupational exposure limits.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflict of interest: None declared.

Figures

None
Graphical abstract
FIGURE 1
FIGURE 1
Vest worn by the participants with the GSP-10 sampling head, the air pump and EPHOR sensor attached.
FIGURE 2
FIGURE 2
Risk matrix of inhaled drugs during compounding, reconstitution and handling tasks in pharmacies. The risk is stratified into three classes: small (green), moderate (blue), and high (red) and the exposure is described as the inhaled drug fraction. GM, geometric mean.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

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