title: Uptake of antineoplastic agents in pharmacy and hospital personnel. Part I: monitoring of urinary concentrations.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  There is a risk of adverse health effects for personnel with occupational exposure to antineoplastic agents. The aim of the present longitudinal study was to identify, quantify, and evaluate potential health hazards of occupationally exposed workers in pharmaceutical and oncological departments with central processing units for drug preparation.
  
  
  METHODS
  One hundred operatives in 14 German hospital pharmacies and oncological departments underwent biological monitoring by providing urine samples up to four times over a period of 3 years.
  
  
  RESULTS
  All antineoplastic agents that were considered (cyclophosphamide, ifosfamide, doxorubicin, epirubicin and platinum from cisplatin and carboplatin), were found in urine samples in up to 40% of participants.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Despite standard safety precautions, such as the use of vertical laminar air flow safety cabinets, and personal protective clothing, incorporation of drugs was detected. Therefore, an environmental monitoring strategy should be developed in order to detect contamination and attempt to improve hygiene during work.
authors.affiliation: Institute and Outpatient Clinic for Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, Ziemssenstrasse 1, 80336 Munich, Germany.
authors.forename: Angelika
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Pethran
authors.forename: Rudolf
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Schierl
authors.forename: Karlheinz
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Hauff
authors.forename: Carl-Heinz
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Grimm
authors.forename: Karl-Siegfried
authors.initials: KS
authors.lastname: Boos
authors.forename: Dennis
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Nowak
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000652:urine*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016273:Occupational Exposure; D010564:Personnel, Hospital; D010595:Pharmacists; D014691:Ventilation
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents