In this guide
- What it is
- The three groups
What is the NIOSH hazardous drug list?
The NIOSH (National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health) list identifies drugs hazardous to the workers who handle them. USP 800 references it: any drug on the list must be handled with hazardous-drug precautions — from receiving to disposal.
The three groups on the list
- Group 1 — antineoplastic (chemotherapy) drugs
- Group 2 — non-antineoplastic hazardous drugs
- Group 3 — drugs with reproductive risk
How hazardous-drug waste is disposed of
Hazardous-drug waste splits at disposal: trace chemotherapy waste (empty vials, IV bags, PPE) is incinerated in yellow containers, while bulk and RCRA-hazardous drugs are manifested to a permitted facility. Correct disposal is a core part of USP 800.
Frequently asked questions
What is the NIOSH hazardous drug list?
A list from NIOSH identifying drugs hazardous to workers who handle them, referenced by USP 800 to determine which drugs require hazardous-drug precautions including in disposal.
How does the NIOSH list relate to USP 800?
USP 800 uses the NIOSH list to define hazardous drugs; any drug on the list must be handled and disposed of under hazardous-drug rules.
Are all chemo drugs on the NIOSH list?
Most antineoplastic (chemotherapy) drugs are in NIOSH Group 1, plus other hazardous and reproductive-risk drugs in Groups 2 and 3.
How is NIOSH-listed drug waste disposed of?
Trace-contaminated materials are incinerated as trace chemo (yellow containers); bulk and RCRA-hazardous drugs are manifested to a permitted facility.
Keep reading
USP 800: The Complete Guide to Hazardous Drug Handling
Who USP <800> applies to, the facility/PPE/storage/disposal requirements, and how it connects to your chemo and RCRA waste program.
Read guide →Trace Chemo WasteChemotherapy Waste Disposal: The Complete Guide
Trace vs. bulk, the yellow-container rule, USP 800 handling, treatment, and how bulk/P-listed chemo is managed as RCRA-hazardous.
Read guide →Trace Chemo WasteChemotherapy Waste Disposal: Trace vs. Bulk Explained
Yellow-container rules, RCRA-hazardous bulk chemo, incineration, and how it ties to USP 800.
Read guide →