Evaluation of antineoplastic drug exposure of health care workers at three university-based US cancer centers

• Published in: Journal of occupational and environmental medicine Vol. 52; no. 10; p. 1019
• Main Authors: Connor, Thomas H, DeBord, D Gayle, Pretty, Jack R, Oliver, Marc S, Roth, Tracy S, Lees, Peter S J, Krieg, Jr, Edward F, Rogers, Bonnie, Escalante, Carmen P, Toennis, Christine A, Clark, John C, Johnson, Belinda C, McDiarmid, Melissa A
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States 01.10.2010
• Subjects: Academic Medical Centers - manpower; Adult; Antineoplastic Agents - urine; Cross-Sectional Studies; Female; Health Personnel; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Occupational Exposure - analysis; Occupational Health; Oncology Service, Hospital - manpower; United States; United States
• ISSN: 1536-5948
• DOI: 10.1097/JOM.0b013e3181f72b63

This study evaluated health care worker exposure to antineoplastic drugs. 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. 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. Despite following recommended safe-handling practices, workplace contamination with antineoplastic drugs in pharmacy and nursing areas continues at these locations.