subject: Hazardous Drugs are highly polluting the environment [print this page] Pharmaceutical Engineering has made remarkable achievements in the field of medicines and science. It has save the mankind from disastrous clutches of many deadly diseases like cancer, brain tumor and many more health disorders. On one hand, hazardous drugs can save thousands of lives when used as medicines for the treatment of several diseases and on the other hand, these perilous drugs can damage thousands of lives when exposed. When exposed, these harmful drugs badly contaminate the surroundings and produce severe effects on living organisms. Hence, the major area of concern for all pharmaceutical engineers is the invention of safety equipments and measures that can minimize the risks of exposures.
Exposures to hazardous drugs can take place at any of the drug related procedures like drug manufacture, administration, handling, transport, storage, disposal, waste treatment etc. These exposures can produce severe health effects on workers engaged in healthcare industries and other drug manufacturing organizations. These workers face major health disorders due to inhalation of chemical aerosols, vapors etc. The hospital staffs are more prone to needle stick injuries and can become the victims of these hazardous drugs.
Through dermal contact also these drugs can enter the body of the staffs and cause disastrous effects. Accidental leakage and spillage can take place during various drug related activities like reconstitution, spiking and un-spiking IV containers, transfer between containers and connecting or disconnecting syringes from injection ports. These spills can badly affect the professionals and can disinfect the surroundings that can be very dangerous for the living bodies dwelling there.
Strict adherence to guidelines formulated by different healthcare organizations can reduce the risks of exposures to the maximum extent. Safe handling of drugs is highly essential. Also there should be proper usage of safety equipments like closed system drug transfer devices, biological safety cabinets and personal protective equipments like gowns, gloves, masks and respirators. By implementing all the guidelines properly, risks of exposures can be avoided.
Hazardous Drugs are highly polluting the environment
