A test method for assessment of spill and leakage from drug preparation systems

Anti-cancer drugs are reactive compounds with known adverse health effects. To prevent occupational exposure to these drugs, there are, in most countries, regulations for handling anti-cancer drugs. Many preparation systems are available, e.g. isolators, biological safety cabinets (BSCs), filter spikes (venting spikes with micro-pore filter) and closed systems (e.g. PhaSeal). Although these systems are used, there are reports of exposure. This causes concern over how efficient these systems are to prevent spill and leakage that may cause undesired exposure when handling cytotoxic drugs. Today, this knowledge is lacking. This paper presents a method (Tc-method) for testing drug preparation systems for spill and leakage. The Tc-method is based on 99Tc(m) as a tracer, with which drug vials used for test preparations are spiked. Wipe samples are then collected around the working area to measure spill and leakage. The Tc-method has been validated using an independent method, showing good agreement between the methods. Spills down to 1 nl cm(-2) can be determined. In an appendix, the Tc-method is described in a detailed step-by-step procedure.