Signal enhancement in adsorptive stripping voltammetry of Pt by forced convection during the measurement step

Evaluation of Environmental Cytotoxic Drug Contamination in a Clinical Setting

The use of cytotoxic drugs to treat neoplastic conditions is increasing in veterinary practices. Many agents have the potential to be genotoxic and evidence of exposure to cytotoxic drugs has been found in healthcare workers handling these pharmaceuticals. To date, limited contamination evaluations have been performed in veterinary practices. Evaluation for carboplatin contamination was performed at a veterinary teaching hospital involving twelve areas in the dispensary and treatment room. Detectable levels of platinum were found on the surface of the biological safety cabinet where drugs are transferred from vial to administration device. Results indicate contamination did occur and care must be taken during all phases of cytotoxic drug preparation and administration; precautionary procedures must be in place to limit the spread of surface contamination and personnel exposure.

Reduction of workplace contamination with platinum-containing cytostatic drugs in a veterinary hospital by introduction of a closed system

The objective of this study was to determine the level of workplace contamination with platinum-containing cytostatic drugs in a veterinary hospital. A closed chemotherapy application system was then added to the safety regimen. Workplace contamination was measured over a nine-month period by taking wipe samples from seven locations. Before the introduction of the closed system, amounts of platinum were detected at four locations. After the introduction of the closed system, there was a temporary increase in contamination at two locations, followed by an overall reduction in contamination by the end of the study period.