Air Sampling for Chemotherapeutic Agents: a Literature Review

摘要

Little industrial hygiene data exist for the assessment of airborne levels ofantineoplastic agents in the hospital work place. Persons handling these agents can be exposed by three potential routes: inhalation of aerosolized drug, transdermal absorption, and accidental ingestion resulting from lack of hand washing. Research has shown that by following all the procedures for handling cytotoxic drugs, the potential for exposure is minimal. All breathing zone air sampling results were below detectable limits. Various methods of air sampling had been used to measure concentration of antineoplastic drugs in drug preparation areas. None of these methods have been validated or standardized by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH), or the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH).