Volatile organic compounds and ionic substances contamination in cell processing facilities during rest period; a preliminary assessment of exposure to cell processing operators

Mitsuru Mizuno; Koki Abe; Takashi Kakimoto; Keiichi Yano; Yukiko Ota; Kengo Tomita; Naoki Kagi; Ichiro Sekiya

Regenerative Therapy (Dec 2023)

Volatile organic compounds and ionic substances contamination in cell processing facilities during rest period; a preliminary assessment of exposure to cell processing operators

Mitsuru Mizuno,
Koki Abe,
Takashi Kakimoto,
Keiichi Yano,
Yukiko Ota,
Kengo Tomita,
Naoki Kagi,
Ichiro Sekiya

Affiliations

Mitsuru Mizuno: Center for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Tokyo Medical and Dental University (TMDU), 1-5-45, Bunkyo-ku, Yushima, Tokyo 113-8519, Japan; Corresponding author.
Koki Abe: Medical Environment Engineering Group, Center for Environmental Engineering, Institute of Technology, Shimizu Corporation, 3-4-17, Koto-ku, Etchūjima, Tokyo, 135-0044, Japan
Takashi Kakimoto: Medical Environment Engineering Group, Center for Environmental Engineering, Institute of Technology, Shimizu Corporation, 3-4-17, Koto-ku, Etchūjima, Tokyo, 135-0044, Japan
Keiichi Yano: Medical Environment Engineering Group, Center for Environmental Engineering, Institute of Technology, Shimizu Corporation, 3-4-17, Koto-ku, Etchūjima, Tokyo, 135-0044, Japan
Yukiko Ota: Medical Environment Engineering Group, Center for Environmental Engineering, Institute of Technology, Shimizu Corporation, 3-4-17, Koto-ku, Etchūjima, Tokyo, 135-0044, Japan
Kengo Tomita: Medical Environment Engineering Group, Center for Environmental Engineering, Institute of Technology, Shimizu Corporation, 3-4-17, Koto-ku, Etchūjima, Tokyo, 135-0044, Japan
Naoki Kagi: Department of Architecture and Building Engineering, School of Environment and Society, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Ookayama 2-12-1, Meguro-ku, Tokyo, 152-8552, Japan
Ichiro Sekiya: Center for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Tokyo Medical and Dental University (TMDU), 1-5-45, Bunkyo-ku, Yushima, Tokyo 113-8519, Japan

Journal volume & issue: Vol. 24
pp. 211 – 218

Abstract

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Introduction: Cell processing operators (CPOs) use a variety of disinfectants that vaporize in the workspace environment. These disinfectants can induce allergic reactions in CPOs, due to their long working hours at cell processing facilities (CPFs). Ionic substances such as CH3COO− generated from peracetic acid, nitrogen oxides (NOx) and sulfur oxides (SOx) from outdoor environment are also known to pollute air. Therefore, our objective was to assess the air quality in CPFs and detect volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from disinfectants and building materials, and airborne ionic substances from outdoor air. Methods: Sampling was conducted at three CPFs: two located in medical institutions and one located at a different institution. Air samples were collected using a flow pump. Ion chromatographic analysis of the anionic and cationic compounds was performed. For VOC analysis, a thermal desorption analyzer coupled with capillary gas chromatograph and flame ionization detector was used. Results: Analysis of the ionic substances showed that Cl−, NOx, and SOx, which were detected in large amounts in the outdoor air, were relatively less in the CPFs. Ethanol was detected as the main component in the VOC analysis. Toluene was detected at all sampling points. As compared to the other environments, air in the incubator contained larger amounts of VOCs, that included siloxane, tetradecane, and aromatics. Conclusions: No VOCs or ionic substances of immediate concern to the health of the CPOs were detected during the non-operating period. However, new clinical trials of cell products are currently underway in Japan, and a variety of new cell products are expected to be approved. With an increase in cell processing, health risks to CPOs that have not been considered previously, may become apparent. We should continue to prepare for the future expansion of the industry using a scientific approach to collect various pieces of information and make it publicly available to build a database.

Published in Regenerative Therapy

ISSN: 2352-3204 (Online)
Publisher: Elsevier
Country of publisher: Netherlands
LCC subjects: Medicine: Medicine (General); Science: Biology (General): Cytology
Website: http://www.journals.elsevier.com/regenerative-therapy/

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