Permeability of four disposable protective-clothing materials to seven antineoplastic drugs

The permeability of four types of protective-clothing material to seven injectable antineoplastic drugs was studied. The protective materials tested were Saranex-laminated Tyvek, polyethylene-coated Tyvek, nonporous Tyvek, and Kaycel. Circles 6 cm in diameter were cut from a single garment of each material and exposed to each drug. Permeation of cisplatin, etoposide, mitomycin, cyclophosphamide, carmustine, and thiotepa was assessed by the Salmonella mutagenicity test after four hours of exposure. Doxorubicin permeation was assessed qualitatively over an eight-hour exposure period using a coloration assay. Saranex-laminated Tyvek was not permeable under the test conditions. Polyethylene-coated Tyvek was slightly permeable to thiotepa and carmustine. Nonporous Tyvek was permeable to all seven drugs, and the Kaycel garment was permeable to all of the drugs except etoposide. In no instance did permeation exceed 3.3% of the applied drug dose. Saranex-laminated Tyvek was the most protective of the barrier garments, followed closely in effectiveness by the polyethylene-coated Tyvek. Clothing made from these two Tyvek composites would allow less air flow and, therefore, would be less comfortable to wear for extended periods. Garments made of nonporous Tyvek or Kaycel would be more comfortable, but their use should be accompanied by an awareness of their potential permeability to certain antineoplastic drugs.