A study of the efficiency of cleaning reagents for three antineoplastic agents (5-FU, CP, PT) commonly used in hospitals in South Australia

Abstract

Occupational exposure to antineoplastic agents can cause acute and chronic health effects from repeated dermal contact with contaminated surfaces in healthcare centres. Although relevant guidelines and standards recommend some specific cleaning reagents, information on the decontamination efficiency of the cleaning reagents is limited. The aim of this study was to examine the efficiency of six cleaning reagents (0.5% w/v sodium hypochloride, 0.03M sodium hydroxide, 70% isopropyl alcohol, 70% ethanol, acentonitrile, distilled water) against three antineoplastic agents (Fluorouracil, Cyclophosphamide and Paclitaxel)commonly used in South Australia. A decomposition test of three antineoplastic agents in each cleaning reagent was undertaken using a HPLC system under ambient temperature conditions at a number of time intervlas (1, 15, 30, 60, 80 minutes). This study found that 70% ethanol and isopropanol did not significantly degrade the three antineoplastic agents. Sodium hypochlorite (0.5% w/v chlorine based bleaching agent) was the most effective cleaning reagent to decontaminate the three antineoplastic agents.