The USP 800 text answers the question, it seems to me:

1 800 HAZARDOUS DRUGS—2 HANDLING IN HEALTHCARE SETTINGS

 

6.5 Respiratory Protection

543 For most activities requiring respiratory protection, an NIOSH-certified N95 or more

544 protective respirator is sufficient to protect against airborne particles; however, these

545 respirators offer no protection against gases and vapors and little protection against

546 direct liquid splashes (see CDC’s Respirator Trusted-Source Information at

547 http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/npptl/topics/respirators/disp_part/RespSource3healthcare.html

548 #e). Surgical masks do not provide respiratory protection from drug exposure and

549 should not be used to compound or administer drugs. A surgical N95 respirator provides

550 the respiratory protection of an N95 respirator and the splash protection provided by a

551 surgical mask.

552 Personnel unpacking HDs that are not contained in plastic should wear an elastomeric

553 half-mask with a multi-gas cartridge and P100-filter. If the type of drug can be better

554 defined, then a more targeted cartridge could be used.

555 Fit test the respirator and train workers to use respiratory protection. Follow all

556 requirements in the OSHA respiratory protection standard (29 CFR 1910.134)

557 (http://www.osha.gov/SLTC/etools/respiratory/index.html). An appropriate full-facepiece,

558 chemical cartridge-type respirator shall be worn when attending to HD spills larger than

559 what can be contained with a spill kit, or when there is known or suspected airborne

560 exposure to powders or vapors.

 

Hope that helps.

 

Scott Grubbs, MD

WorkWell Occupational Health

Greenville, SC

 

No oddly I didn’t hear back from anyone. 

 

 

HI Bindu – had asked this question a while ago. Did you receive any feedback on this? If so, would you mind forwarding it to me? Thank you!

 

Tara

Tara Lee Dockery, IP, MT(ASCP), BS

Infection Prevention and Employee Health

 

Ocean Beach Hospital and Clinics

174 First Avenue North

Ilwaco, Washington 98624

 

tdockery@oceanbeachhospital.com

Office Phone  360 – 642 - 6307

Cell Phone 509-760-7397

Fax  360-642-6309

 

 

 

 

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