WHY BEING A NURSE IS BAD FOR YOUR HEALTH

The very chemicals used to keep hospitals squeaky clean and to treat patients could be harmful to nurses who are exposed to them in their daily duties, according to a study released Tuesday by an Oakland environmental group.

Nurses are exposed to a wide range of chemicals on the job - from heavy-duty cleaners and latex to chemotherapy drugs - that could have long-term effects on their health and the health of their children, say researchers with the Environmental Working Group and Health Care Without Harm, which coordinated an online survey of 1,500 nurses in the United States.

But few regulations limit nurses’ exposure to chemicals, and, in fact, most nurses have no idea that their work environment could be harmful, said Jane Houlihan, vice president of research for Environmental Working Group and an author of the study.

“As much as we rely on nurses to protect us when we’re sick, we’re not protecting nurses in return,” Houlihan said. “They face a diverse range of exposures in the workplace that really could pose significant health risks.”