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Quartucci C, Rooney JPK, Nowak D, Rakete S. Evaluation of long-term data on surface contamination by antineoplastic drugs in pharmacies. Int Arch Occup Environ Health 2023; 96:675-683. [PMID: 36877242 DOI: 10.1007/s00420-023-01963-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2022] [Accepted: 02/21/2023] [Indexed: 03/07/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE The handling of antineoplastic drugs represents an occupational health risk for employees in pharmacies. To minimize exposure and to evaluate cleaning efficacy, wipe sampling was used to analyze antineoplastic drugs on surfaces. In 2009, guidance values were suggested to facilitate the interpretation of results, leading to a decrease in surface contamination. The goal of this follow-up was to evaluate the time trend of surface contamination, to identify critical antineoplastic drugs and sampling locations and to reassess guidance values. METHODS Platinum, 5-fluorouracil, cyclophosphamide, ifosfamide, gemcitabine, methotrexate, docetaxel and paclitaxel were analyzed in more than 17,000 wipe samples from 2000 to 2021. Statistical analysis was performed to describe and interpret the data. RESULTS Surface contaminations were generally relatively low. The median concentration for most antineoplastic drugs was below the limit of detection except for platinum (0.3 pg/cm2). Only platinum and 5-fluorouracil showed decreasing levels over time. Most exceedances of guidance values were observed for platinum (26.9%), cyclophosphamide (18.5%) and gemcitabine (16.6%). The most affected wipe sampling locations were isolators (24.4%), storage areas (17.6%) and laminar flow hoods (16.6%). However, areas with no direct contact to antineoplastic drugs were also frequently contaminated (8.9%). CONCLUSION Overall, the surface contaminations with antineoplastic drugs continue to decrease or were generally at a low level. Therefore, we adjusted guidance values according to the available data. The identification of critical sampling locations may help pharmacies to further improve cleaning procedure and reduce the risk of occupational exposure to antineoplastic drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caroline Quartucci
- Bavarian Health and Food Safety Authority, Institute for Occupational Health and Product Safety, Environmental Health, Munich, Germany.,Institute and Clinic for Occupational, Social and Environmental Medicine, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - James P K Rooney
- Institute and Clinic for Occupational, Social and Environmental Medicine, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany.,Academic Unit of Neurology, Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Dennis Nowak
- Institute and Clinic for Occupational, Social and Environmental Medicine, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Stefan Rakete
- Institute and Clinic for Occupational, Social and Environmental Medicine, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany.
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Verscheure E, Creta M, Vanoirbeek J, Zakia M, Abdesselam T, Lebegge R, Poels K, Duca RC, Godderis L. Environmental Contamination and Occupational Exposure of Algerian Hospital Workers. Front Public Health 2020; 8:374. [PMID: 32850596 PMCID: PMC7419462 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2020.00374] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2020] [Accepted: 06/29/2020] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Guidelines are in place to assure limited occupational exposure to cytostatic drugs. Even though this has led to a reduction in exposure, several studies reported quantifiable concentrations of these compounds in healthcare workers. In this study, we evaluated occupational exposure to cytostatic drugs in hospital workers from the University Hospital in Tlemcen, Algeria. Monitoring was performed by collecting wipe samples from surfaces, objects, personal protective equipment (gloves and masks) and from the skin of employees at an Algerian university hospital. Wipe samples were analyzed with ultra-performance liquid chromatography coupled to a mass spectrometer. Concentrations ranged from below the limit of quantification up to 208.85, 23.45, 10.49, and 22.22 ng/cm2 for cyclophosphamide, ifosfamide, methotrexate and 5-fluorouracil, respectively. The highest values were observed in the oncology department. Nowadays, there are still no safe threshold limit values for occupational exposure to cytostatic agents. Therefore, contamination levels should be kept as low as reasonably achievable. Yet, healthcare workers in this hospital are still exposed to cytostatic agents, despite the numerous guidelines, and recommendations. Consequently, actions should be taken to reduce the presence of harmful agents in the work environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eline Verscheure
- Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Centre for Environment and Health, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Matteo Creta
- Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Centre for Environment and Health, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Jeroen Vanoirbeek
- Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Centre for Environment and Health, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Meziane Zakia
- Centre Hospitalo-Universitaire, Service Médicine du Travail, Université Abou Bekr Belkaid Tlemcen, Tlemcen, Algeria.,TOXICOMED Research Laboratory, Faculty of Medicine, Université Abou Bekr Belkaid Tlemcen, Tlemcen, Algeria
| | - Taleb Abdesselam
- Centre Hospitalo-Universitaire, Service Médicine du Travail, Université Abou Bekr Belkaid Tlemcen, Tlemcen, Algeria.,TOXICOMED Research Laboratory, Faculty of Medicine, Université Abou Bekr Belkaid Tlemcen, Tlemcen, Algeria
| | - Robin Lebegge
- Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Centre for Environment and Health, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Katrien Poels
- Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Centre for Environment and Health, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Radu-Corneliu Duca
- Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Centre for Environment and Health, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.,National Health Laboratory (LNS), Unit Environmental Hygiene and Human Biological Monitoring, Department of Health Protection, Dudelange, Luxembourg
| | - Lode Godderis
- Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Centre for Environment and Health, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.,Idewe, External Service for Prevention and Protection at Work, Heverlee, Belgium
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A new approach to assessing occupational exposure to antineoplastic drugs in hospital environments. Arh Hig Rada Toksikol 2018; 69:226-237. [DOI: 10.2478/aiht-2018-69-3125] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2018] [Accepted: 06/01/2018] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Cytotoxic antineoplastic drugs (ADs) pose occupational risk and therefore require safe handling practices. We created, optimised, and validated an innovative monitoring protocol for simultaneously assessing 21 ADs in the healthcare environment, and also proposed surface exposure levels (SELs) to facilitate the interpretation of monitoring results, as there are currently no occupational exposure limits for ADs. The environmental AD monitoring data were collected in nine Italian hospitals between 2008 and 2017 and include 74,565 measurements in 4,814 wipe samples. Excellent overall recovery and sensitivity of the analytical methods along with innovative desorption automation make this protocol useful for routine monitoring. AD contamination was found in 3,081 measurements, confirming potential exposure in healthcare workers. Samples taken at the beginning and the end of work shifts, allowed to calculate 75th and 90th percentile values for each ADs both in preparation and administration units and we created a traffic-light colour-coding system to facilitate interpretation of the findings. The introduction of SELs will provide a solid basis for improving occupational safety and focusing on contamination control.
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Krämer I, Federici M, Schierl R. Environmental and Product Contamination during the Preparation of Antineoplastic Drugs with Robotic Systems. PHARMACEUTICAL TECHNOLOGY IN HOSPITAL PHARMACY 2018. [DOI: 10.1515/pthp-2018-0018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Background
Robotic systems are designed to minimize the exposure to antineoplastic drugs during automated preparation. However, contamination cannot be completely excluded. The aim of the study was to evaluate the contamination with antineoplastic drugs on the working surfaces and on the outer surface of the ready-to-use products (infusion bags and syringes) during automated preparation with different versions of a robot and manual preparation.
Methods
Surface contamination with platinum (Pt) and 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) was measured by wipe sampling and quantified by voltammetry for Pt and GC-MS for 5-FU. Sampling was performed on pre-defined locations in the working areas before and after preparation of standardized test products. The outer surfaces of Pt- or 5-FU-containing infusion bags and 5-FU-containing syringes were sampled without and after manual capping.
Results
Overall, the surface contamination in the working areas of the robotic system ranged from 0.4 to 114 pg/cm2 for Pt and from 1.3 to 1,250,000 pg/cm2 for 5-FU. The highest contamination levels were detected after preparation on the gripper of the robotic arm and on the surface beneath the dosing device. In most cases, measured concentrations were higher after preparation. Outer surfaces of infusion bags prepared with the robotic system were less contaminated than manually prepared bags. Contamination on the outer surface of syringes varied depending on the procedure adopted.
Conclusions
The risk of contamination is localised inside the working area of the robot. The outer surfaces of products were only marginally contaminated. Cleaning procedures of the working area are to be further investigated. An effective decontamination procedure for the working area of the robot and automated capping of filled syringes should be developed to further minimize the occupational risk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irene Krämer
- Department of Pharmacy , University Medical Center, Johannes Gutenberg-University Mainz , Langenbeckstraße 1, 55131 , Mainz , Germany
| | - Matteo Federici
- Department of Pharmacy , University Medical Center, Johannes Gutenberg-University Mainz , Langenbeckstraße 1, 55131 , Mainz , Germany
| | - Rudolf Schierl
- Institute and Clinic for Occupational, Social and Environmental Medicine , University Hospital , LMU Munich , Munich , Germany
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