Surface Contamination with Cyclophosphamide and Iphosphamide in Chemotherapy Centers

Abstract

Background and purpose: Cyclophosphamide and ifosfamide are two most widely used and hazardous drugs in chemotherapy centers. This study aimed at determining surface contamination with cyclophosphamide and iphosphamide in chemotherapy centers. Materials and methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out in three chemotherapy centers affiliated with Hamedan University of Medical Sciences, Iran 2016. Twenty eight samples were collected from contaminated surfaces. The samples were then prepared by solid phase extraction and analyzed by HPLC/UV apparatus. Results: The mean values for surface contamination of cyclophosphamide and ifosfamide were 57.28 ± 63.8 and 44.15 ± 5.5 ng/cm2, respectively. The highest levels of contamination with both drugs were observed at exhaust hood surfaces and the lowest level of contamination was seen in nursing station and staff resting place. The clothes and gloves of nurses were also found to be contaminated. Conclusion: Daily number of medications, the location of drug preparation room and injection room, nursing station, staff resting place, daily cleaning programs, and repairing and maintenance of ventilation systems were amongst the major factors affecting surface contamination in chemotherapy centers.

Keywords

• drug therapy
• cyclophosphamide
• ifosfamide
• occupational exposure
• environmental monitoring
• hospitals