[Cytostatic drugs: occupational hazard to health care workers].

Cytostatic anticancer drugs are known as carcinogenic, mutagenic, and teratogenic risk factors for health care workers who are occupationally exposed during preparation and management of such drugs. Risk assessment for occupational exposure to antiblastic chemotherapeutic drugs is carried out by means of environmental and biological monitoring. During last twenty years, several researchers have developed and validated methods for monitoring occupational exposure to such agents. The author reviews the literature on possible effects of occupationally exposed hospital workers and occupational exposure.