Skip to main content
U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Chromosome analyses of nurses handling cytostatic agents

Journal Article · · Cancer Treat. Rep.; (United States)
OSTI ID:5636512
A cytogenetic study of ten nurses handling cytostatic agents (average exposure, 2150 hours) and ten female hospital clerks revealed an increased frequency of chromosome gaps and a slight increase in sister chromatid exchange frequency among the nurses. The increase may be due to exposure to cytostatic drugs and points to these agents as a possible occupational health hazard. A second group of 11 nurses handling cytostatic agents for a shorter period of time (average exposure, 1078 hours), and three other groups (eight nurses engaged in therapeutic and diagnostic radiology, nine nurses engaged in anesthesiology, and seven nurses in postoperative ward) did not differ from the office personnel, except for an increased frequency of chromosome gaps in the radiology group.
OSTI ID:
5636512
Journal Information:
Cancer Treat. Rep.; (United States), Journal Name: Cancer Treat. Rep.; (United States) Vol. 65:7-8; ISSN CTRRD
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English