Handling chemotherapy drugs requires strict containment to protect healthcare workers and maintain compliance with medical safety standards. Cytotoxic drug safety cabinets are designed to safely manage hazardous drug preparation by providing controlled airflow and HEPA filtration. At AES Environmental, our high-performance Cytogard cabinets meet Australian and international standards for handling cytotoxic and antineoplastic agents.
To help you better understand the role of these systems, we’ve compiled a list of frequently asked questions about cytotoxic cabinets and chemotherapy drug handling. This guide covers what cytotoxic cabinets do, how they work and the standards they must meet.
When lives depend on clean air and safe containment, AES delivers confidence and compliance.
Cytotoxic (cell-killing) drugs are used in chemotherapy to destroy cancer cells. However, they are toxic to healthy cells as well, meaning they pose risks to the pharmacists, nurses, and lab technicians who handle them.
Exposure can occur through aerosols, spills, or skin contact, making proper containment essential.
Cytotoxic cabinets are a specialised form of Class II Biological Safety Cabinets, modified to handle hazardous drug compounds. They use vertical laminar airflow and dual HEPA filtration to:
•Protect the operator, product, and environment.
•Prevent contamination and cross-exposure.
•Safely exhaust filtered air away from work areas.
AES cabinets are designed to meet the performance criteria of AS 2252.5:2023 and relevant ISO and EN standards.
+ Compliance with Australian standards for cytotoxic drug handling.
+ HEPA-filtered downflow and exhaust for maximum safety.
+ Ergonomic design to support operator comfort during drug preparation.
+ Easy servicing and certification, backed by AES’s national service network.
Cytotoxic cabinets are used in a number of settings including:
• Hospital pharmacies.
• Oncology wards.
• Compounding facilities.
• Research and testing laboratories.
Yes. The PIC/S (Pharmaceutical Inspection Co-operation Scheme) guidelines set international GMP standards adopted in Australia by the TGA. Cytotoxic drug preparation must be carried out in facilities that align with these principles to ensure product and operator safety.
AES Cytogard cabinets are designed to meet AS 2252.5:2023 and support compliance with PIC/S GMP requirements by maintaining controlled airflow, dual HEPA filtration, and robust containment, helping healthcare facilities demonstrate adherence to both Australian and international standards.