Syringe plunger contamination by hazardous drugs: a comparative study

The purpose of this study was to perform a comparative cyclophosphamide contamination level test with Becton Dickinson® syringe plungers with Phaseal® Closed System Transfer Devices and Equashield® syringe plungers under routine oncological compounding conditions.

The ChemoGlo™ sampling kit and analysis services were used to test for cyclophosphamide contamination levels on the syringe plungers of Becton Dickinson® Phaseal and Equashield® syringes that underwent cycles of drug transfer in a Forma Class II, 2A Biological Safety Cabinet. Prior to testing, the syringes were divided into three equal groups for the Equashield® and Becton Dickinson® syringes. A 50 mL aliquot of cyclophosphamide was drawn into each syringe and then injected back into the cyclophosphamide vial. This drug transfer procedure was immediately repeated twice for the syringes in group 1, four times for group 2, and eight times for group 3. After the completion of the drug transfers with the Equashield® and Becton Dickinson® Phaseal syringes, the plungers were retracted back to the nominal syringe marking, and a wipe test of the exposed plunger was done using the ChemoGlo™ sampling kit.

Significant contamination levels of 2000 ng and greater were detected on most Becton Dickinson® syringe plungers with Phaseal® Closed System Transfer Devices, whereas all Equashield® syringes remained uncontaminated at undetectable levels.