Acute symptoms associated with antineoplastic drug handling among nurses.

Antineoplastic drug handling in the absence of adequate protective measures has been associated with biological uptake of the drugs among pharmacists and nurses. This study investigated the association between occupational exposure to antineoplastics and the presence of acute symptoms in a nationwide sample of 2,048 nurses and nurses' aides. Reported skin contact with the drugs was associated with a small but statistically significant increase in reported symptoms. Although number of doses handled and extent of protection used were significantly associated with number of symptoms, their effect was not independent of skin contact.