Occupational Hygiene Research Lab Manager Matthew Jeronimo, alongside researchers Eric D. Speranza and Manuel Colombo, have published a new study, assessing for the first time the contamination of surfaces by antineoplastic drugs in Argentinean healthcare centers.
What are Antineoplastic Drugs?
Occupational exposure to antineoplastic drugs in healthcare settings is a growing concern due to the severe nature of the associated health risks. Currently, no established occupational exposure limits exist that define a ‘safe’ level of exposure to these drugs. This has led to increased efforts to strengthen safe handling guidelines and monitoring routines to keep contamination levels as low as possible.
Why Does This Research Matter?
However, data on surface contamination levels in Argentina and more broadly, across South America, has been largely unavailable – until now. With higher cancer incidence in Argentina compared to other Latin American countries such as Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Mexico, and Peru, and forecasts indicating incidence will continue to rise, this research will help provide critical insights on current standings.
What Did We Find?
Surface wipe sampling was conducted using a protocol previously established by following a protocol previously published by the Occupational Hygiene Research group at School of Population and Public Health (SPPH). 58 samples from pharmacy and daycare center areas across three public hospitals in Argentina were collected. Using liquid chromatograph–tandem mass spectrometer (LC–MS/MS), researchers tested for various antineoplastic drugs.
Eleven different drugs were detected, with cyclophosphamide, gemcitabine, and paclitaxel being the most common. AD were found on 51 out of 58 sampled surfaces, with thirteen surfaces having samples exceeding current recommended contamination threshold of 1 ng/cm². Notable variability in contamination levels between and within hospitals were also observed.
As the first study of its kind in the region, these findings provide critical baseline data on antineoplastic drug contamination in public healthcare settings in Argentina and South America and facilitate the movement towards widespread monitoring, standardized regulations and reduction of overall AD exposure in Argentina.
What Next?
As the first study of its kind in the region, these findings provide critical baseline data on antineoplastic drug contamination in public healthcare settings in Argentina and South America and facilitate the movement towards widespread monitoring, standardized regulations and reduction of overall AD exposure in Argentina.
Read the full study here.
For more information on hazardous drug monitoring in BC and Canada, read here.
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