ACUTE SYMPTOMS ASSOCIATED WITH ANTINEOPLASTIC DRUG HANDLING AMONG NURSES

Antineoplastic drug handling in the absence of adequate protective mea sures has been associated with biological uptake of the drugs among ph armacists and nurses. This study investigated the association between occupational exposure to antineoplastics and the presence of acute sym ptoms in a nationwide sample of 2,048 nurses and nurses' aides. Report ed skin contact with the drugs was associated with a small but statist ically significant increase in reported symptoms. Although number of d oses handled and extent of protection used were significantly associat ed with number of symptoms, their effect was not independent of skin c ontact.