Abstract
BackgroundCytotoxic drugs constitute an important workplace hazard in the hospital environment. Our aim was to conduct an environmental assessment of hazardous drugs in the Oncology Center of Cyprus.MethodsWipe samples were obtained from 42 workplace areas of the Oncology Center including two pairs of gloves in an initial assessment, while 10 samples were obtained at follow-up 3 years later. Potential contamination with cyclophosphamide (CP), ifosphamide (IF) and 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) and other cytotoxic medications was examined using the GC-MSMS system (CP, IF) and the HPLC system with UV detection (5-FU) method, respectively.ResultsWipe sample contamination was detected at 11.9% and 15% in the initial and follow-up assessment, respectively. Both pairs of gloves assessed were free from contamination. The results showed contamination with cyclophosphamide on the work space inside the isolator, on a day-care office phone and on the central pharmacy bench. Ifosphamide was only detected on the floor of a patient’s room. Contamination with 5-fluorouracil was found only on the surface of a prepared IV infusion bag. The levels of contamination in the positive samples ranged from 0.05 to 10.12 ng/cm2.ConclusionsThe overall percentage of sample contamination at the Oncology Center was very low compared to other centers around the world. In addition, the detected levels of contamination with cytotoxic drugs were relatively low with the exception of the workspace inside the biological safety cabinet. These results in both assessments may reflect the implementation of comprehensive control measures including employee training, technological equipment and effective cleaning procedures.
Highlights
Anti-neoplastic agents constitute a significant workplace hazard for health professionals in the hospital environment [1,2,3]
Our aim was to conduct an environmental assessment of hazardous drugs in the Oncology Center of Cyprus
Wipe samples were obtained from 42 workplace areas of the Oncology Center including two pairs of gloves in an initial assessment, while 10 samples were obtained at follow-up 3 years later
Summary
Anti-neoplastic agents constitute a significant workplace hazard for health professionals in the hospital environment [1,2,3]. Such hazardous drugs, used in the treatment of cancer, have been associated with many adverse health effects following employee acute and/or chronic cumulative exposure. Environmental assessment and biological monitoring has been extensively used in order to estimate and quantify the potential workplace exposure of health professionals to anti-neoplastic agents and evaluate associated health risks [10, 11]. Collecting surface wipe samples from different sites of the hospital environment constitutes one of the most widespread method used for environmental assessment studies around the world [12,13,14].
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
