Evaluation of antineoplastic drug exposure of health care workers at three university-based US cancer centers.
OBJECTIVE
This study evaluated health care worker exposure to antineoplastic drugs.


METHODS
A cross-sectional study examined environmental samples from pharmacy and nursing areas. A 6-week diary documented tasks involving those drugs. Urine was analyzed for two specific drugs, and blood samples were analyzed by the comet assay.


RESULTS
Sixty-eight exposed and 53 nonexposed workers were studied. Exposed workers recorded 10,000 drug-handling events during the 6-week period. Sixty percent of wipe samples were positive for at least one of the five drugs measured. Cyclophosphamide was most commonly detected, followed by 5-fluorouracil. Three of the 68 urine samples were positive for one drug. No genetic damage was detected in exposed workers using the comet assay.


CONCLUSIONS
Despite following recommended safe-handling practices, workplace contamination with antineoplastic drugs in pharmacy and nursing areas continues at these locations.
Connor
Thomas H
TH
Division of Applied Research and Technology, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Cincinnati, Ohio 45226, USA. tmc6@cdc.gov
DeBord
D Gayle
DG
Pretty
Jack R
JR
Oliver
Marc S
MS
Roth
Tracy S
TS
Lees
Peter S J
PS
Krieg
Edward F
EF
Rogers
Bonnie
B
Escalante
Carmen P
CP
Toennis
Christine A
CA
Clark
John C
JC
Johnson
Belinda C
BC
McDiarmid
Melissa A
MA
D000046:Academic Medical Centers; D000328:Adult; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000652:urine*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006282:Health Personnel; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000032:analysis*; D016272:Occupational Health; D016522:Oncology Service, Hospital; D014481:United States; D000078329:Workforce
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents