It’s time to improve occupational exposure and disease statistics in Canada
Occupational Health Clinics for ON Workers (OHCOW)
Every Thursday, October 29 – November 26, 2026
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Navigating the nuances of dermal exposure assessment
Characterizing dermal exposure presents challenges for occupational hygienists because no “gold standard” methodology exists. There are standard methods for evaluating inhalation exposure to many substances but few standard methods exist for dermal sampling. Evaluating dermal exposure requires an understanding of the strengths, biases and limitations of multiple methods. This presentation will explore the practical realities of assessing dermal exposure, selecting the appropriate measurement methodology, and assessing dermal exposure risk when measurement is not possible or practicable. Overall, this presentation will provide insight into navigating the nuances of dermal sampling, selecting pragmatic assessment tools, and understanding the broader multi-pathway mechanics of dermal exposure.
Examining healthcare workers’ exposure to hazardous drugs
The risk of healthcare workers exposed to hazardous drugs has been known since the 1970s. Occupational exposure typically occurs by touching drug-contaminated surfaces which can lead to damage to genetic material and reproductive toxicities. There are no acceptable occupational exposure limits and, therefore, it is important to keep exposure as low as reasonably practicable. In 2011, we conducted a pilot study to ascertain the likelihood of dermal (skin) exposure at BC hospitals. We found that some healthcare workers had detectable levels of hazardous drug residue on their hands. Given the potential for exposure, it prompted us to undertake various research studies to better understand the exposure risk as well as identify or evaluate mitigation strategies to reduce the risk amongst healthcare workers. The purpose of this presentation is to provide an overview of the body of scholarly work surrounding Canadian healthcare workers’ exposure to hazardous drugs over the past 15 years.