What are the recommendations regarding personal protective equipment and chemotherapy and biotherapy administration?
Recommendations for what personal protective equipment (PPE) to wear whenever handling chemotherapy or contaminated materials are consistent across several groups including the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), American Public Health Association (APHA), and ONS. These recommendations don’t differentiate between high- and low-risk situations, as there is always the potential for contamination and no known minimum safe exposure. Double chemotherapy-tested gloves, protective gowns, and protective eyeware (if there is potential for splashing) should be worn whenever handling hazardous drugs or contaminated items (e.g., administration materials, body fluids). These recommendations are based on increasingly strong research that indicates that surface and air contamination occur throughout chemotherapy preparation, administration, and disposal areas and that those who work in those areas can be exposed repeated
