The level of contamination by antineoplastic agents in drug preparation and administration areas in cancer treatment centers in Canada and the United States was determined. Sampling locations at three cancer treatment centers in Canada and three centers in the United States were selected (biological safety cabinets, countertops, and floors in and adjacent to preparation areas; tabletops, chairs, and floors in administration areas). A solution of sodium hydroxide (0.03 M) was spread over the surface of each area. The surface was wiped with one or two absorbent tissues, which were then stored in plastic screw-top containers. Samples were stored at -40 degrees C before analysis of ifosfamide content (U.S. centers only) and cyclophosphamide content by gas chromatography in tandem with mass spectroscopy-mass spectroscopy and fluorouracil content by reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography with ultraviolet-light detection. Measurable amounts of the antineoplastic agents were detected in 75% of the pharmacy samples and 65% of the administration samples. In general, the levels of contamination were higher in the pharmacy areas than in the drug administration areas. The pharmacy area at the site with the highest number of drug preparations had considerably more drug contamination than the other sites. The results were similar for Canadian and U.S. centers. Substantial levels of contamination from three antineoplastic agents were detected on a variety of surfaces in pharmacy drug preparation areas and drug administration areas in six cancer treatment centers in Canada and the United States.

 

This article has been cited by other articles:

				K. Touzin, J.-F. Bussieres, E. Langlois, M. Lefebvre, and C. Gallant Cyclophosphamide Contamination Observed on the External Surfaces of Drug Vials and the Efficacy of Cleaning on Vial Contamination Ann. Hyg., November 1, 2008; 52(8): 765 - 771. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				Section 1 Introduction Journal of Oncology Pharmacy Practice, September 1, 2007; 13(3_suppl): 3 - 6. [PDF]

				Section 10 Chemical contamination monitoring Journal of Oncology Pharmacy Practice, September 1, 2007; 13(3_suppl): 44 - 48. [PDF]

				W. FRANSMAN, S. PEELEN, S. HILHORST, N. ROELEVELD, D. Heederik, and H. KROMHOUT A Pooled Analysis to Study Trends in Exposure to Antineoplastic Drugs Among Nurses Ann. Hyg., April 1, 2007; 51(3): 231 - 239. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				J.-F. Bussieres, Y. Theoret, S. Prot-Labarthe, and D. Larocque Program to monitor surface contamination by methotrexate in a hematology-oncology satellite pharmacy Am. J. Health Syst. Pharm., March 1, 2007; 64(5): 531 - 535. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				T. H. Connor and M. A. McDiarmid Preventing Occupational Exposures to Antineoplastic Drugs in Health Care Settings CA Cancer J Clin, November 1, 2006; 56(6): 354 - 365. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				B. R. Harrison, B. G. Peters, and M. R. Bing Comparison of surface contamination with cyclophosphamide and fluorouracil using a closed-system drug transfer device versus standard preparation techniques. Am. J. Health Syst. Pharm., September 15, 2006; 63(18): 1736 - 1744. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				ASHP Guidelines on Handling Hazardous Drugs Am. J. Health Syst. Pharm., June 15, 2006; 63(12): 1172 - 1191. [Full Text] [PDF]

				S. Roberts, N. Khammo, G. McDonnell, and G. J Sewell Studies on the decontamination of surfaces exposed to cytotoxic drugs in chemotherapy workstations Journal of Oncology Pharmacy Practice, June 1, 2006; 12(2): 95 - 104. [Abstract] [PDF]

				S. CRAUSTE-MANCIET, P. J. M. SESSINK, S. FERRARI, J.-Y. JOMIER, and D. BROSSARD Environmental Contamination with Cytotoxic Drugs in Healthcare Using Positive Air Pressure Isolators Ann. Hyg., October 1, 2005; 49(7): 619 - 628. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				M. HEDMER, A. GEORGIADI, E. R. BREMBERG, B. A. G. JONSSON, and S. EKSBORG Surface Contamination of Cyclophosphamide Packaging and Surface Contamination with Antineoplastic Drugs in a Hospital Pharmacy in Sweden Ann. Hyg., October 1, 2005; 49(7): 629 - 637. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				H. Schulz, S. Bigelow, R. Dobish, and C. R Chambers Antineoplastic agent workplace contamination study: the Alberta Cancer Board Pharmacy perspective Journal of Oncology Pharmacy Practice, September 1, 2005; 11(3): 101 - 109. [Abstract] [PDF]

				G. Dranitsaris, M. Johnston, S. Poirier, T. Schueller, D. Milliken, E. Green, and B. Zanke Are health care providers who work with cancer drugs at an increased risk for toxic events? A systematic review and meta-analysis of the literature Journal of Oncology Pharmacy Practice, June 1, 2005; 11(2): 69 - 78. [Abstract] [PDF]

				T. H. Connor, P. J. M. Sessink, B. R. Harrison, J. R. Pretty, B. G. Peters, R. M. Alfaro, A. Bilos, G. Beckmann, M. R. Bing, L. M. Anderson, et al. Surface contamination of chemotherapy drug vials and evaluation of new vial-cleaning techniques: Results of three studies Am. J. Health Syst. Pharm., March 1, 2005; 62(5): 475 - 484. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				B. Tans and L. Willems Comparative contamination study with cyclophosphamide, fluorouracil and ifosfamide: standard technique versus a proprietary closed-handling system Journal of Oncology Pharmacy Practice, December 1, 2004; 10(4): 217 - 223. [Abstract] [PDF]

				T. H. Connor, P. van Balen, and P. J. M. Sessink Monitoring for Hazardous Drugs in the Operating Room Ann. Surg. Oncol., August 1, 2003; 10(7): 821 - 822. [Full Text] [PDF]

				O. NYGREN, B. GUSTAVSSON, L. STROM, and A. FRIBERG Cisplatin Contamination Observed on the Outside of Drug Vials Ann. Hyg., July 1, 2002; 46(6): 555 - 557. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				J. Vandenbroucke and H. Robays How to protect environment and employees against cytotoxic agents, the UZ Ghent experience Journal of Oncology Pharmacy Practice, January 1, 2001; 6(4): 146 - 152. [Abstract] [PDF]