Nurses Exposed to Chemicals - Health Risks
December 13, 2007
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As reported in the San Francisco Chronicle, an Oakland environmental group warned in a recent study that nurses are being exposed to harmful chemicals. I ronically, the exposure is from chemicals used to keep the hospital clean and treat patients. The group sites "heavy-duty cleaners and latex to chemotherapy drugs" could have long term effects on the nurses health. A study conducted by the Environmental Working Group and Health Care Without Harm, evaluated nursing exposure to 11 common chemicals use in healthcare, including anesthesia gas, hand disinfectants, cleaning agents and chemicals used for sterilization. The study notes that exposure may increase the risk of cancer, asthma and miscarriage rates for nurses that are exposed.
The frightening part of all this is that the nurses are unknowingly being exposed - the study notes that nurses may not even be aware that job related chemical exposure is an issue.
Check out the full story on nurses and chemical exposure here >>>