Would chemo hurt you if there was skin contact?

Question

okay i work at a hospital and someone had to mop up some chemo that got spilled out onto the floor...what would happen if it got on your skin....

Answer 1

I work as a registered nurse on an oncology floor of a hospital.  I had to go thru a certification course to give chemo.  You have to put on special gowning and wear eye protection and a mask.  The answer to your question is YES!  Many of these substances are poison.  Our patients are given rescue drugs after the chemo so it doesnt kill all the good cells with the bad.  I am very surprized chemo was just "mopped" up.  Our hospital has specific protocols for cleanup and this is considered a hazardous spill.  Maybe what was spilled was not toxic.

Answer 2

There must be a hazardous waste clean up manual you can look at.  Your boss would know ask him/her.  It probably wouldn't hurt but it is a good idea to stay away from that.