Which of the following is a risk associated with hazardous drugs?

Hazardous drugs are defined as substances that may pose a significant risk to health care workers, patients, and the environment due to their properties. This includes potential carcinogenicity, reproductive toxicity, organ toxicity, or development of sensitization. The primary focus of the concerns surrounding these drugs is indeed the occupational and environmental safety of those who handle them or are exposed to them.

For healthcare workers, the risk comes from handling, preparing, administering, or disposing of these medications, with the potential for exposure through inhalation, skin contact, or accidental spills. For patients, there exists the risk of exposure to hazardous drugs through the medication process, particularly in a healthcare setting where multiple patients may be treated using these compounds. Furthermore, inappropriate disposal of hazardous drugs can lead to environmental contamination, which poses a broader public health issue.

In contrast, while allergies can occur with any medication, including hazardous ones, the statement regarding allergies does not specifically capture the distinct and systemic risks that hazardous drugs present. Similarly, the claim about hazardous drugs being less effective compared to non-hazardous drugs is not inherently true; effectiveness can vary based on the drug itself, not merely its classification as hazardous. Lastly, the option regarding storage space fails to recognize that hazardous drugs often come