Canadian Monitoring Program for Surface Contamination with 11 Antineoplastic Drugs in 126 Centres: Results for 2023
Mathilde Dupré1, Ciprian Mihai Cirtiu2, Nicolas Caron2
1DPharm, was, at the time of this study, a DPharm candidate with the Université Paris-Saclay, Orsay, France. She has since graduated and is now with the Unité de recherche en pratique pharmaceutique and the Pharmacy Department, CHU Sainte-Justine, Montréal, Quebec.
Background:
Occupational exposure to antineoplastic drugs can lead to long-term adverse effects on workers' health.
Objective:
To describe contamination with 11 antineoplastic drugs measured on surfaces within health care centres.
Methods:
Centres sampled 12 standardized sites: 6 in oncology pharmacies and 6 in outpatient clinics. Samples were analyzed by ultra-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry.
Results:
A total of 126 Canadian centres participated over the period January to April 2023. Cyclophosphamide (411/1476, 28%) and gemcitabine (352/1476, 24%) were frequently found on surfaces; less than 10% of samples were contaminated with the other 9 drugs. The 90th percentile of concentration was 0.0095 ng/cm2 for cyclophosphamide and 0.0040 ng/cm2 for gemcitabine. The armrest of a treatment chair (93/123, 76%) and the front grille inside the biological safety cabinet (61/123, 50%) were frequently contaminated with cyclophosphamide.
Conclusions:
This monitoring program allowed centres to benchmark their contamination and helped increased awareness. Frequent decontamination, safe handling practices, and the use of personal protective equipment are mandatory.
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