The contribution of scientific research in the field of oncology has achieved incredible results during the last years, both in terms of the evolution of biomedical technologies and also in the discovery of new and effective anti-cancer drugs.
These goals have been achieved primarily thanks to the contribution of high-level scientists and technicians who, in their workplace, deserve proper protection from exposure to substances that might be dangerous for their health.
For this reason, speakers and representatives of the European Commission, scientific societies and institutions decided to take stock of the current state of exposure to cytotoxic drugs, the prevention systems currently available and the necessity to inform about the risk of exposure to dangerous substances.
The European Union on 9 March changed Directive 2004/37/EC to the current 2022/431/EU to ensure better protection of workers from dangerous chemicals.
The new directive focuses on the need to strengthen the protection of workers from exposure to carcinogens, mutagens or toxic substances during their work activity.
THE MAIN POINTS OF THIS NEW DIRECTIVE
Risk assessment
The employer is obliged to assess and manage the risk of workers from exposure to carcinogenic, mutagenic or toxic substances, paying particular attention to all possible types of exposure, including skin exposure.
Prevention measures
Prevention is essential to limit the exposure of workers handling potential toxic substances of cancer pharmaceutical components or other kinds of chemicals. For this reason, the directive recommends that the employer provides technicians with closed technological systems to filter and eliminate direct contact between humans and chemicals to be handled or processed.
Training and information
The employer is obliged to provide adequate training on potential health risks and precautions that should be taken to prevent exposure to harmful substances, including specific protective equipment.
THE IMPORTANCE OF CLOSED SYSTEMS
Roberto Lombardi, an expert on safety measures for chemical and biological agents at INAIL’s Technological Innovation Department for the safety of plants, products and human settlements states:
“As for the implementation of safety measures to guarantee personal health to any subject with risk of exposure, considering safety regulations for the general public, that our legislation considers to be top priority, has to always contemplate, for handling, that the best technological offer comes from the implementation of the closed system”
THE CONTRIBUTION OF LAST TECHNOLOGY
To support people who dedicate their lives every day to research and scientific discovery, directly handling surfaces contaminated by oncological drugs or very powerful active ingredients, LAST Technology has developed the UCW ONCO line: the innovative cGMP washing and disinfection machine with isolation system.
UCW ONCO line is a closed-system machine that, by the use of special ergonomic isolating gloves, safely and comfortably allows the handling of contaminated laboratory equipment and instruments with high risk of toxicity for the operator.
For further information about all the potentials and technical features of the equipment, please visit the relative page on our website: click here.
