November 12, 2025 - Exposure Assessment and Health Effects of Hazardous Drugs for Oncology Nurse

Joint Webinar Announcement: Protecting Oncology Nurses from Hazardous Drug Exposure

Wednesday, November 12, 2025
Title: Exposure Assessment and Health Effects of Hazardous Drugs for Oncology Nurses: The Unseen Hazard and the Imperative for Change

Time: 9 AM PT / 12 PM ET

Presenter: Dr. Melissa McDiarmid

Co-Hosted by: CANO/ACIO and ISNCC

Registration Link:
https://www.cano-acio.ca/event/canoacio_isncc_webinar2025

Registration is free for both CANO/ACIO and ISNCC members.Online registration is available until: 11/12/2025

Safety during preparation, administration and waste handling of hazardous drugs remains an important topic in oncology.  There are significant differences globally in how the risks associated with hazardous drug handling are mitigated in both preparation and administration. 
In general, there is agreement on the risks associated with many hazardous drugs in terms of their ability to induce side effects when handled, and for their ability to induce cancer and negative reproductive outcomes. 
In general, the biologics have largely been handled as non-hazardous, however, data is emerging that these drugs should be handled in the same way as all hazardous drugs.
Strategies to mitigate exposure include optimal physical space for preparation, engineering controls, CSTD’s and PPE. Strategies for exposure mitigation that are employed in preparation directly impact the exposure risk in administration.

Learning Objectives:
1. Review mechanisms of exposure to hazardous drugs.
2. Examine the health risks and potential harm associated with exposure to hazardous drugs
3. Consider recent information that alerts us to the hazards associated with targeted therapies and immunotherapy (biologics) which until recently have largely been considered non-hazardous
4. Review measures to reduce the risk of exposure to hazardous drugs.

Biographies:
Dr. Melissa McDiarmid is a Professor of Medicine and Epidemiology & Public Health at the University of Maryland School of Medicine, where she directs the Division of Occupational and Environmental Medicine. Her research and clinical work focus on occupational and environmental medicine, with an emphasis on the health effects of workplace exposure and the protection of healthcare workers.