[The health surveillance of personnel who handle antineoplastic agents]

The health surveillance of workers exposed to antineoplastic drugs is based on the fact that these substances are potentially carcinogenic to humans and can cause adverse reproductive effects, as well as irritative and allergic reactions. Health checks must be carried out before starting the job and at periodic intervals thereafter depending on the degree of exposure. These checks will have to evaluate possible physiological and pathological conditions of individual susceptibility. In addition to occupational and pathological history, and physical examination, health surveillance must include tests for the evaluation of hemopoietic, renal and liver functions. Cytogenetic studies on individual workers can be proposed only after documented abnormal exposures to antineoplastic drugs or in case of adverse effects suspected to be caused by this type of exposure.