New Washington State Law Protects Health Workers From Chemotherapy Drugs

OLYMPIA, Wash. - Washington state has enacted legislation to protect health care workers exposed to chemotherapy and similar drugs, and has also passed a law whose purpose is to link possible occupational exposure to toxic substances to cancer outcomes. An Act Relating to requiring the department of health to collect current and past employment information in the cancer registry program, SB 5149; An Act Relating to handling of hazardous drugs, SB 5594 (Wash. Legis.).

Both measures were passed by the Washington House and Senate during the current legislative session and signed by Gov. Chris Gregoire on April 13.

Proponents of …