WHATS NEW IN MANAGING HEALTH-HAZARDS IN PATHOLOGY DEPARTMENTS

Health hazards related to activities performed in pathology department s have represented, in recent years, an increasing concern among patho logists and pathology technicians. The major occupational health probl ems encountered in pathology departments are reviewed. They include bi ological hazards (tuberculosis, hepatitis, HIV other infectious diseas es), chemical hazards (formaldehyde, xylene(s), aromatic amines, metha crylates, glutaraldehyde, latex) and physical hazards (cut injuries, a ccidental fires, radiation). Current data suggest that infections (par ticularly, tuberculosis and hepatitis) still represent the more releva nt risk. Exposure to HIV and Creutzfeldt-Jakob agent may be highly har mful but containment measures have been proven to be effective. The ac tual adverse effects due to chemicals seem to be less alarming than wa s previously believed. Attaining a safe work environment is an inheren t element of good quality assurance management. This task is largely a matter of information, education, organization and common sense. Well -designed premises, efficient equipment and well-trained personnel are the keys to preventing and minimizing hazardous exposures. In order t o provide current information that may be used by pathology staff to i mplement the functional quality of the workplace, organizational and p reventive measures are described.