title: [Field survey of the anticancer drug contamination in the preparation environment. Usefulness of the 5-FU monitoring by the coupon method].
abstract: For medical professionals involved in cancer chemotherapy, occupational exposure of anticancer agents is considered a health risk. Education about the handling of anticancer drugs and proper use of protective equipment are important for reducing occupational exposure of anticancer drugs. Furthermore, monitoring of the contamination level of anticancer drugs is important for determining the propriety of anti-contamination methods. Cyclophosphamide (CPA) has been used as the standard drug of the contamination level; however, it is rarely detected because of the disparity between drug preparation frequency and consumption, and use of a closed system. Therefore, we chose 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) as the standard drug and attempted to monitor its contamination levels by sampling using drug absorption sheets (the coupon method). We measured contamination levels inside a biological safety cabinet (BSC) and at its lower floor, and at a preparation worktable, nurses' station worktable, its lower floor and floor of the hospital room in a chemotherapy room for outpatients of the Iwate Medical University Hospital for 3 time periods. 5-FU was detected in 72% of the coupons (n=108), while CPA was detected in only 7% of the coupons (n=108). Monitoring of 5-FU contamination levels by using the coupon method was considered useful for evaluating anti-contamination method and the contamination process.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacy, Iwate Medical University Hospital.
authors.forename: Junya
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Sato
authors.forename: Megumi
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mori
authors.forename: Takuya
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Sasaki
authors.forename: Satoru
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Nihei
authors.forename: Masumi
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kumagai
authors.forename: Seiya
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Nakayama
authors.forename: Katsuo
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Takahashi
authors.forename: Kenzo
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kudo
mesh_terms: D000964:Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic / Q000032:analysis*; D004339:Drug Compounding / Q000379:methods; D004340:Drug Contamination; D005472:Fluorouracil / Q000032:analysis*; D006801:Humans; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000032:analysis; D010607:Pharmacy Service, Hospital
chemical_list: D000964:Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic; D005472:Fluorouracil