Occupational exposure to antineoplastic drugs: what about hospital sanitation personnel?

Objective: Occupational exposure to antineoplastic drugs (ANPs) occurs mainly through dermal contact. Our study was set up to assess the potential exposure of hospital sanitation (HS) personnel, for whom almost no data are available, through contamination of surfaces they regularly touch.

Methods: In the oncology departments of two hospitals around Montreal, surface wipe samples of 120-2000 cm were taken at 10 sites cleaned by the HS personnel and five other sites frequently touched by nursing and pharmacy personnel.