Association between occupational exposure and control measures for antineoplastic drugs in a pharmacy of a hospital.

Objectives: To investigate the association between occupational contamination and exposure levels to antineoplastic drugs and the application of control measures in a hospital work environment.

Methods: Wipe samples of equipments were collected at a hospital in Osaka Prefecture, Japan, from 2007 to 2011. These samples were subjected to measurements of cyclophosphamide (CP), gemcitabine (GEM), platinum-containing drugs (Pt), and fluorouracil (5FU).

Use of a closed system device to reduce occupational contamination and exposure to antineoplastic drugs in the hospital work environment.

Objectives: The aim of the preset study was to evaluate the applicability of a closed system device to protect against occupational contamination and exposure to antineoplastic drugs in the work environment of a hospital.

Methods: We compared the contamination by and exposure to cyclophosphamide (CPA) between a conventional mixing method and a mixing method using a closed system device. Wipe samples in the preparation room, gloves samples and 24-h urine samples of pharmacists preparing antineoplastic drugs were collected.