Studies on the decontamination of surfaces exposed to cytotoxic drugs in chemotherapy workstations

Abstract

5-Flurouracil, doxorubicin and cyclophosphamide were removed from a surface by wiping with detergents. VHP and alkaline detergents caused degradation of doxorubicin. The observed effect with detergent cleaning was pH dependent, but neither of the technologies applied had any effect on the chemical stability of 5-flurouracil and cyclophosphamide under the conditions tested.

Vapor Phase Hydrogen Peroxide – Method for Decontamination of Surfaces and Working Areas from Organic Pollutants

“…There is only limited information concerning the effects of the contaminant chemical structure upon decontamination by VPHP (McVey et al, 2006;Roberts et al, 2006). Several functional groups which are sensitive to VPHP have been found (Švrček, 2010), namely the aldehyde group, aliphatic tertiary nitrogen and the sulfide group (thioethers).…”

“…These buildings were contaminated by Anthrax spores released from "Anthrax letters" by terroristic attacks in the USA (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 2005). In the literature (Block, 1991;Heckert et al, 1997;Johnston et al, 2005;Klapes & Vesley, 1990;Roberts et al, 2006), there are numerous applications of VPHP in the decontamination of fermenters, dialysers, incubators, isolators (Fisher & Caputo, 2004;Lysfjord & Porter, www.intechopen.com Organic Pollutants Ten Years After the Stockholm Convention -Environmental and Analytical Update 406 1998), glove boxes, hazard boxes (Hall et al, 2007), animal houses (Kahnert et al, 2005;Krause et al, 2001), hospital wards (French et al, 2004;Hardy et al, 2007), inner space of airplanes (Krieger & Mielnik, 2005;Shaffstall et al, 2011), ambulances, various large spaces (Krause et al, 2001), lyophylisators (Johnson et al, 1992), ultra centrifuges, sterilization tests (Kokubo et al, 1998), product and pipe lines (Hatanaka & Schibauchi, 1989), dental and surgery instruments (catheters, endoscopes, etc.) (Bathina et al, 1998), contact lenses, hardware space systems (Chung et al, 2008), and food commodities (Forney et al, 1991;Gruhn et al, 1995;Sapers et al, 2003;Simmons et al, 1997).…”

“…In 1985, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) issued recommendations on the application of oxidative processes for the decontamination of cytotoxic compounds in waste waters (Roberts et al, 2006). Following studies (Barek et al, 1998;Hansel et al, 1997) tried to find the ideal oxidative agent that could be used in hospitals for the purposes described above.…”

“…It was already mentioned that these substances are strictly designed for a specific application but they can have numerous side effects on people. Thus, the contact with these compounds has to be avoided as much as possible (Roberts et al, 2006). NIOSH recommends to decontaminate all surfaces which have been in touch with cytotoxics according a protocol that includes appropriate agent able to deactivate or remove chemical or biological contaminants (National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, 2004).…”

“…Decontamination of closed areas by VPHP is carried out in 4 consecutive steps (Fisher & Caputo, 2004;Heckert et al, 1997;Roberts et al, 2006;Watling et al, 2002). The first phase is dehumidification, i.e.…”