Pesticides use in hospitals: health protection, health hazards, and viable alternatives.

The literature is replete with evidence of human health risks associated with cleaning products, sterilants, disinfectants, antimicrobials, and a wide range of pesticides such as insecticides, fungicides, and rodenticides. This article focuses on the health risks associated with pesticide and antimicrobial use in the health care setting and the roles that nurses can play in assessing and addressing the human health risks associated with exposure to these chemicals. Specifically, common biocides, sterilants, insecticides, herbicides, and fungicides are reviewed, including products in which they may be found in and the health effects associated with their use. Then follows a discussion of actions nurses and nurse administrators can implement to reduce exposure to these chemicals. These interventions include improving assessment of patient exposure, education of staff and patients on health effects of hazardous chemicals and safer alternatives, and implementation of integrated pest management policies and programs within facilities and in the community.