Background: Surface contamination with cytotoxic drug residue is a potential occupational health hazard to staff working in cytotoxic compounding areas and oncology wards. Aim: To identify surfaces contaminated with cytotoxic drug residue and to indicate the risk of exposure to health workers handling cytotoxic drug residue. Method: Wipe sampling was used to investigate surface contamination and occupational skin exposure to the marker cytotoxic drugs, fluorouracil (5-FU) and gemcitabine (GEM), in the pharmacy cytotoxic compounding section and oncology wards. Drug packaging, primary containers and gowns were also examined. Samples were analysed using a validated HPLC method. Repeat sampling was performed on selected surfaces to monitor any impact after implementing changes in practice. Results:The majority of surfaces tested were contaminated. The cytotoxic work room (5-FU 56.7-320 µg/m 2 ; GEM 75-370 µg/m 2 ) and oncology wards had similar levels of contamination. Cytotoxic drug residue was detected on original containers and drug vials (5-FU < 3-6 µg; GEM 7.8-7.9 µg/wipe sample) stored in the cytotoxic work room but not on containers delivered directly from the distributor, suggesting that accidental contamination by pharmacy personnel does occur. Contamination was also detected on sections of the gowns (GEM around 0.9 mg/m 2 ) worn by nurses in the oncology wards.

Background: Apart from generic guidelines for the safe handling of cytotoxic drugs in pharmacy departments, there is no specific published literature pertaining to cleaning procedures and inadvertent exposure to paclitaxel. Aim: To examine occupational exposure to paclitaxel; to identify an effective decontamination reagent; and to determine suitable glove type for skin protection. Method: 8 decontamination reagents were tested for paclitaxel degradation. Air sampling filters, Ghost Wipes and cotton wipes were tested under different storage conditions (room temperature, ≤ 4

This study was to measure the exposure of diesel vehicle drivers to elemental carbon (EC) as an indicator of diesel particulate matter (DPM) emitted from diesel vehicles in an underground coal mine over 3 years as per NIOSH Method 5040. Our study results (range 10 μg/m 3-377 μg/m 3 for the loader drivers, 19 μg/m 3-162 μg/m 3 for the SMV drivers) were similar or less than previous study results (range 5 μg/m 3-2,200 μg/m 3) for normal mine operations. From this study results, it appeared that the exposures decreased in the second and the third year. It is thought that the reasons for the decreased personal DPM (EC) exposures over the 3 years were related to the following recommendations; more frequent monitoring and maintenance of the diesel vehicles and their DPM filtration systems, more consistent monitoring of the mine's ventilation system and changes of work practices such as minimizing the opening of diesel vehicle windows. An educational program on adverse health effects of exposure to DPM and use of respiratory protection (P2 respirators) also assisted in minimizing driver exposure to DPM.

Background: Flucloxacillin is a widely used antibiotic but data are lacking on the risks associated with occupational exposure. Aim: To evaluate flucloxacillin stability; to identify an effective decontamination reagent for flucloxacillin; and to identify glove material that will prevent flucloxacillin permeation. Method: Decontamination reagents used for flucloxacillin wipe sampling and degradation/stability tests included: isopropanol 50% and 70%, ethanol 60% and 100%, benzalkonium chloride 0.1% (Pine O Cleen), sodium hypochlorite 0.5% (Chloroclens), sodium hydroxide 0.03M and distilled water. Short-term (0 to 90 minutes) and daily degradation (0 to 6 days) of flucloxacillin in these media and flucloxacillin recovery from surface wipe sampling was investigated using high pressure liquid chromatography with ultraviolet detection. Flucloxacillin permeation was tested using disposable, powder-free latex and nitrile gloves in a disposable test cell to which solution was applied on one side of the glove material and wiped from the other side after 3 hours. Results: This analytical method for assessing flucloxacillin contamination has a limit of detection of 0.1 µg/mL. Distilled water was the most suitable solvent as degradation of flucloxacillin was minimal. Sodium hypochlorite 0.5%, followed by sodium hydroxide 0.03M and benzalkonium chloride 0.1%, were the most effective decontamination reagents. No permeation of flucloxacillin was detected through the latex or nitrile gloves after a 3 hour period. Conclusion: A method for assessing occupational exposure to flucloxacillin is described in this paper. Sodium hypochlorite 0.5% was the most effective decontamination reagent for flucloxacillin. Both the latex and nitrile gloves prevented flucloxacillin permeation for up to 3 hours. J Pharm Pract Res 2009; 39: 95-8.