Protecting Healthcare Workers from Hazardous Medicines
Hazardous cytotoxic drugs are handled daily in oncology settings, with dermal exposure recognized as the primary route of contamination, making effective skin protection critical. Exposure can occur throughout the entire workflow; from preparation and administration to transport and material handling, and may persist beyond use, as these drugs can remain active and continue to pose risks.
This ongoing exposure can have serious consequences for healthcare professionals. Cytotoxic drugs can cause chromosomal damage by altering DNA and impairing normal cell function, leading to symptoms such as headaches, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, and skin or mucous membrane reactions. Repeated exposure is also linked to reproductive and developmental risks, including infertility, spontaneous abortions, congenital abnormalities, and long-term effects in children of exposed individuals.
Each year, millions of healthcare professionals across Europe face occupational exposure to hazardous drugs, including 7.3 million nurses handling carcinogenic, mutagenic, and reprotoxic substances. These drugs are among the most dangerous chemical risks in healthcare, with studies linking exposure to increased rates of cancer, leukemia, and reproductive harm. It’s time to put healthcare worker safety at the center of oncology care.
The Parliament Magazine. Preventing the exposure of nurses and health professionals to hazardous drugs.
https://www.theparliamentmagazine.eu/news/article/preventing-the-exposure-of-nurses-and-health-professionals-to-hazardous-drugs
Our Chemo-Tested Range
Handling hazardous medicines requires more than standard precautions. Our chemotherapy protection portfolio is designed to meet the specific demands of oncology environments, offering reliable barrier protection across gloves, gowns, and facial protection, so your team can focus on delivering care with confidence.
Exam Gloves
PURPLE NITRILE XTRA*
The PURPLE NITRILE XTRA* is purpose-built for chemotherapy drug handling, where barrier integrity is non-negotiable. Tested against 52 cytotoxic agents, it is designed to deliver consistent and reliable protection during the preparation and administration of hazardous drugs.
The distinctive purple enables quick and clear visual identification in chemotherapy environments, helping ensure correct glove use during cytotoxic drug handling. Across the range, a powder-free, low-protein nitrile formulation maximises skin protection efficiency for staff who glove repeatedly throughout their shift. For chemotherapy nurses and oncology professionals alike, PURPLE NITRILE XTRA* gloves are built to perform reliably at every stage of the cytotoxic drug workflow.
Facial Protection
Respirator FFP2 & N95
HALYARD* Surgical N95 and FFP2 respirators provide reliable respiratory protection for healthcare professionals handling hazardous drugs in oncology settings. Both are tested against 7 chemotherapy drugs, supporting safe use in high-risk environments. Compliant with key regulatory standards (NIOSH for N95 configuration; EN 149:2001 + A1:2009 and EN 14683:2019 Type IIR for FFP2 configuration), they ensure high filtration efficiency and fluid resistance during clinical procedures.
Their ergonomic duckbill design creates a larger breathing chamber, improving comfort and breathability during extended wear. With either an N95 or FFP2 respirator, healthcare professionals benefit from a combination of protection, compliance, and comfort to support safe clinical practice.
*N95 is not available in Europe; distribution is limited to the Middle East and Africa
Gowns
IMPERVIOUS* & AEROCHROME*
Both the IMPERVIOUS* and AEROCHROME* gowns have been tested against 52 chemotherapy agents, providing healthcare professionals with confidence that their protection has been validated against the drugs they work with every day. Full body and arm coverage ensures that every stage of the cytotoxic workflow is addressed, reducing the risk of inadvertent skin contact and secondary contamination.
The selection of gowns depends on the clinical setting and risk environments. The IMPERVIOUS* Comfort Gown is suited to everyday chemotherapy preparation and administration tasks, offering reliable barrier performance with secure wrist closure to prevent drug migration. For higher-risk procedures or environments where fluid exposure is more likely, the AEROCHROME* Breathable Performance Surgical Gown delivers AAMI Level 4 protection (the highest fluid barrier classification) while its breathable construction helps maintain staff comfort during extended wear. Together, the range gives oncology teams the flexibility to match their protective apparel to the risk at hand.
