title: Photodynamic therapy: occupational hazards and preventative recommendations for clinical administration by healthcare providers.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Photodynamic therapy (PDT) as a medical treatment for cancers is an increasing practice in clinical settings, as new photosensitizing chemicals and light source technologies are developed and applied. PDT involves dosing patients with photosensitizing drugs, and then exposing them to light using a directed energy device in order to manifest a therapeutic effect. Healthcare professionals providing PDT should be aware of potential occupational health and safety hazards posed by these treatment devices and photosensitizing agents administered to patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  Here we outline and identify pertinent health and safety considerations to be taken by healthcare staff during PDT procedures.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Physical hazards (for example, non-ionizing radiation generated by the light-emitting device, with potential for skin and eye exposure) and chemical hazards (including the photosensitizing agents administered to patients that have the potential for exposure via skin, subcutaneous, ingestion, or inhalation routes) must be considered for safe use of PDT by the healthcare professional.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Engineering, administrative, and personal protective equipment controls are recommendations for the safe use and handling of PDT agents and light-emitting technologies.
authors.affiliation: California State University, Fullerton, College of Health and Human Development, Department of Health Science, Fullerton 92831, California, USA. jbreskey@fullerton.edu
authors.forename: John D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Breskey
authors.forename: Steven E
authors.initials: SE
authors.lastname: Lacey
authors.forename: Benjamin J
authors.initials: BJ
authors.lastname: Vesper
authors.forename: William A
authors.initials: WA
authors.lastname: Paradise
authors.forename: James A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Radosevich
authors.forename: Michael D
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Colvard
mesh_terms: D000622:Aminolevulinic Acid / Q000627:therapeutic use; D017323:Dihematoporphyrin Ether / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006414:Hematoporphyrin Photoradiation; D006801:Humans; D062325:Intense Pulsed Light Therapy / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D007834:Lasers; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000517:prevention & control*; D016272:Occupational Health; D010778:Photochemotherapy; D017319:Photosensitizing Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011166:Porphyrins / Q000627:therapeutic use; D017751:Safety Management; D000077362:Verteporfin
chemical_list: D017319:Photosensitizing Agents; D011166:Porphyrins; D000077362:Verteporfin; D000622:Aminolevulinic Acid; D017323:Dihematoporphyrin Ether