Which category of hazardous substances do healthcare workers routinely handle that may cause long-term health issues?
Answer
Potent chemotherapy drugs.
Healthcare workers face chemical exposure risks from various agents handled during their duties, including anesthetic gases and sterilizing agents. However, potent chemotherapy drugs represent a crucial category of hazard due to their cytotoxic nature. Chronic, even low-level, exposure to these powerful substances over the course of a career can accumulate significant toxic effects, potentially leading to serious, long-term adverse health outcomes for the professionals involved. Rigorous enforcement of specialized handling procedures is necessary to manage this specific layer of occupational risk.
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