Cytostatics in Indoor Environment: An Update of Analytical Methods

• Type: Another Publication in an International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2021

Authors

Portilha Cunha, MF (Author) Other; Arminda Alves (Author) FEUP; Mónica Santos (Author) FEUP

Journal

Title: Pharmaceuticals

Vol. 14

Final page: 574

ISSN: 1424-8247

Publisher: MDPI

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 7 Citations

Scopus - 6 Citations

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-00V-48E

DOI: 10.3390/ph14060574

Abstract (EN): Periodic and adequate environmental monitoring programs are crucial to assess and reduce the occupational exposure of healthcare workers to cytostatics. The analytical methods employed should be rapid, reliable, sensitive, standardized, and include multiple compounds. A critical overview of recent overall procedures for surface and air contamination with cytostatics in workplace settings is presented, with a focus on sampling, sample preparation, and instrumental considerations. Limitations are also addressed and some recommendations and advice are provided. Since dermal absorption is the main exposure route, surface contamination is the preferred indicator of biological uptake and its methods have significantly improved. In contrast, cytostatics' inhalation is rare; thus, air contamination has been poorly studied, with little improvement. Still, some elements of the analytical methods have not been extensively explored, namely: the amount of wetting solution, the extraction procedure, surface chemistry and roughness, recovery studies from specific surfaces, and cytostatics stability (in surfaces and during shipping and storage). Furthermore, complete validation data (including precision, accuracy, and instrumental and method detection limits) and estimation of global uncertainty are still lacking in most studies, thus preventing method comparison and proposal of standardized procedures.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 32