Other Hazards
Introduction
In addition to infectious disease, ergonomic, and workplace violence issues, workers in healthcare settings encounter a number of other workplace hazards.
These include chemicals (e.g., sterilants), hazardous drugs (e.g., antineoplastic drugs), materials that cause allergic reactions (e.g., latex), and physical agents (e.g., radiation). Several common examples of these "other hazards" are discussed below.
Hazardous Chemicals
Ethylene Oxide
Ethylene oxide (EtO) is a flammable, colorless gas at temperatures above 51.3 degrees F (10.7 degrees C). It smells like ether at toxic levels. It can be found in fumigants and sterilants and presents an opportunity for healthcare worker exposure during operations such as EtO sterilization of surgical equipment.
Short-term exposure to EtO gas may result in:
- respiratory irritation and lung injury,
- headache, nausea, diarrhea, vomiting,
- shortness of breath, and cyanosis.
Long-term exposure has been associated with the occurrence of:
- cancer, reproductive effects,
- mutagenic changes,
- neurotoxicity, and sensitization.
Knowledge Check Choose the best answer for the question.
3-1. What does it mean if you can smell ethylene oxide?
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