Which statement best describes the HD exposure standards regarding RELs, PELs, and TLVs?

Which statement best describes the HD exposure standards regarding RELs, PELs, and TLVs?

• A. None have been established
• B. NIOSH RELs have been established
• C. OSHA PELs have been established
• D. ACGIH TLVs have been established

Answer: (A)

Hazardous drugs do not have a universal exposure limit published by the major agencies. NIOSH RELs, OSHA PELs, and ACGIH TLVs exist for many individual chemicals, but there is no HD-wide standard set for the category as a whole. Because of that, the statement that none have been established best describes the situation. In practice, exposure control relies on risk-based guidance rather than a single numeric limit: follow USP <800> for handling, use appropriate engineering controls and containment, implement closed-system transfer devices when possible, and apply proper PPE and work practices. If a specific drug does have an established limit, that limit applies only to that drug, not to hazardous drugs as a group.

Hazardous drugs do not have a universal exposure limit published by the major agencies. NIOSH RELs, OSHA PELs, and ACGIH TLVs exist for many individual chemicals, but there is no HD-wide standard set for the category as a whole. Because of that, the statement that none have been established best describes the situation. In practice, exposure control relies on risk-based guidance rather than a single numeric limit: follow USP <800> for handling, use appropriate engineering controls and containment, implement closed-system transfer devices when possible, and apply proper PPE and work practices. If a specific drug does have an established limit, that limit applies only to that drug, not to hazardous drugs as a group.