Title
Limited health risks in performing drug reconstitution and handling tasks in pharmacies – results of an occupational risk assessment study
Author
Crul, M.
Breukels, O.
Ng, S.
le Feber, M.
Kuijpers, E.
Smeets, O.
Publication year
2023
Abstract
Objective. Some drugs need processing before they can be administered or dispensed. We measured airborne exposure of pharmacy staff to small particles when performing these tasks. Methods. Reconstitution of powdered drugs in vials; crushing, splitting, and counting of tablets; and opening of capsules, using different ventilation strategies, were investigated in 5 pharmacies following a worst case approach. Airborne particulate matter was determined for a range of particles sizes. Results. Mean particle concentrations ranged from not-detectable to 1.03 μg/m3 (< 1 micrometer) and 589.7 μg/m3 (< 10 micrometer). Dust exhaust made tasks safer. Most hazardous was pouring out tablets from a bulk supply, and least hazardous was reconstitution of a powder for injection. Conclusions. Occupational exposure during routine handling of drugs can occur, but the risks vary greatly with the nature and duration of the tasks.
Subject
Health
Risks
Tasks
Pharmacies
Occupational
Assessment
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DOI
https://doi.org/10.1097/jom.0000000000002781
TNO identifier
984354
Source
Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, 65 (65), E204-E210
Document type
article