Chemical Hazards in Hospitals: Risks, Regulations, and Protective Measures

Authors

  • Zahrah Ali Hussein AL Hamar Master of Pharmacology, King Saud bin AbdulAziz University for Health Sciences, King Abdullah International Medical Research Center
  • Talal Hamza Alrashidi Diagnostic Radiology Technology , Medina National Guards Hospital
  • Theeb Dashin Alqatani EMT TECH, Saudi Arabia
  • Salamah Jali Alotaibi Technician-Emergency Medical Services, National Guard
  • Saad Mohammed Al Samra Emergency, Technician, King Khalid Military College Health Center
  • Waleed mansour saeed Alqahtani Technician-Emergency Medical Services, Saudi Arabia
  • Mohammed saeed Alqahtani Nursing, Saudi Arabia
  • Fayez Mathkar Humud Aladhyani EMT, Saudi Arabia
  • Mohammed Hamed Alanazi Technician-Emergency Medical Services, Saudi Arabia
  • Motlag Abdullah L Alaotibi Technician-Emergency Medical Services, National Guard, Saudi Arabia
  • Hanan Hassan Jalwai Alanezi Nurse, Public Health to Promote School Health
  • Mobark Alqahtani Health Informatics Specialist, Saudi Arabia

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.63278/mme.v30i4.1606

Abstract

This article examines chemical hazards in hospital settings, focusing on risks from therapeutic, diagnostic, sterilization, and cleaning agents. Healthcare workers face exposure through inhalation, skin contact, or ingestion, with risks compounded by secondary contamination scenarios (e.g., chemically contaminated patients in emergency departments). Key hazards include formaldehyde (pathology), anesthetic gases (operating rooms), and antineoplastic drugs (pharmacies), linked to respiratory, dermatological, and reproductive health effects. The review highlights global regulatory frameworks (e.g., EU REACH, U.S. OSHA) and Saudi Arabia’s adoption of GHS standards. Effective risk management requires environmental/biological monitoring, engineering controls (ventilation, scavenging systems), and staff training. Challenges in Saudi hospitals—extreme climate, multinational workforce, and rapid healthcare expansion—necessitate tailored strategies. The article underscores the need for stringent safety protocols to protect workers and patients.

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How to Cite

Hamar, Zahrah Ali Hussein AL, Talal Hamza Alrashidi, Theeb Dashin Alqatani, Salamah Jali Alotaibi, Saad Mohammed Al Samra, Waleed mansour saeed Alqahtani, Mohammed saeed Alqahtani, Fayez Mathkar Humud Aladhyani, Mohammed Hamed Alanazi, Motlag Abdullah L Alaotibi, Hanan Hassan Jalwai Alanezi, and Mobark Alqahtani. 2024. “Chemical Hazards in Hospitals: Risks, Regulations, and Protective Measures”. Metallurgical and Materials Engineering 30 (4):699-709. https://doi.org/10.63278/mme.v30i4.1606.

Issue

Vol. 30 No. 4 (2024)

Section

Research

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Copyright (c) 2025 Zahrah Ali Hussein AL Hamar, Talal Hamza Alrashidi, Theeb Dashin Alqatani, Salamah Jali Alotaibi, Saad Mohammed Al Samra, Waleed mansour saeed Alqahtani, Mohammed saeed Alqahtani, Fayez Mathkar Humud Aladhyani, Mohammed Hamed Alanazi, Motlag Abdullah L Alaotibi, Hanan Hassan Jalwai Alanezi

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