Monitoring Surface Contamination by Antineoplastic Drugs in Italian Hospitals: Performance-Based Hygienic Guidance Values (HGVs) Project

Abstract

Antineoplastic drugs (ADs) will continue to represent a potential risk for personnel involved in the handling of these compounds and great concerns have been raised by the presence of ADs in many surveyed workplaces. Eight hospitals were investigated by means of wipe sampling for surface residue determination. Each wipe sample was tested for five ADs considered suitable exposure markers. Cyclophosphamide (CP), gemcitabine (GEM), 5-fluorouracil (5-FU), platinum-containing drugs (Pt), and epi-doxorubicin (EPI) contamination levels were measured in 85 per cent of the studied pharmacies and 93 per cent of outpatient care units (OpCUs). This study showed that 83 out of 349 samples were positive in Pharmacies, this proportion being statistically significant (χ2 = 42.9, p < 0.001). The positive samples provided evidence of at least one substance with levels greater than the limit of detection (LOD). The two most frequently detected substances were Pt (42%) and CP (30%). These accounted for 72 per cent of the whole dataset, followed by 5-FU and GEM. Based on the 90th percentile of wipe sampling data distribution, we suggest hygienic guidance values (HGVs) of 3.6, 1.0, 0.9, and 0.5 ng cm-2 for CP, 5-FU, GEM and Pt, respectively, as the best target levels of the surface contamination load in Italian pharmacies. The approach of proposing guidance values at the 90th percentile of results obtained from workplaces with good hygiene practice was found to be a simple and practical way of controlling occupational exposure. HGVs were challenged in this study as technical threshold limits to benchmark AD residual surface contamination at workplaces.

Environmental Contamination and Occupational Exposure of Algerian Hospital Workers

“…Finally, in our study surface 5-FU concentrations ranged from below the LOQ to 22.22 ng/cm², which is similar to Kiffmeyer et al (37). Lower ranges were found by Koller et al (27) and Kopp et al (33) (39) used the 90th percentile to propose guidance values for CP (3.6 ng/cm²), 5-FU (1.0 ng/cm²), gemcitabine (0.9 ng/cm²), and platinum (0.5 ng/cm²). Furthermore, Sessink (6) coupled guidance values to actions to be taken to ensure a safe environment.…”

Analytical strategies for assessing occupational exposure to antineoplastic drugs in healthcare workplaces

“…In addition, Hedmer et al [21] reported hygienic guidance values (HGVs) for CP and ifosfamide (IP) in different categories of surfaces for hospital workplaces. Recently, Sottani et al [22] have suggested HGVs for 4 ADs based on the 90th percentile of wipe-sampling data distributions.…”

A new approach to assessing occupational exposure to antineoplastic drugs in hospital environments

“…In addition, Hedmer et al (27) put forward Hygienic Guidance Values (HGVs) for CP and IP for different categories of surfaces at hospital workplaces. Most recently, Sottani et al (28) have recommended HGVs for four ADs based on the 90 th percentile of wipe-sampling data distributions.…”