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Hazardous drugs (HD) traces are measured in most hospitals that perform environmental surveillance. Uncertainties exist regarding the cleaning agents and procedures needed to completely remove HD contamination The objective was to evaluate the efficacy of four cleaning solutions and two types of mops in reducing contamination on a floor contaminated with a predetermined amount of cyclophosphamide (CP).

Rationale: Toluene is a volatile organic compound used in domestic and industrial applications. The main routes of workplace exposure to toluene are inhalation and dermal contact. As toluene exposure can cause severe nervous system damage, its quantification is crucial to prevent occupational illness. Toluene is metabolized mainly as hippuric acid, S‐benzylmercapturic acid and epoxides. These are rapidly converted to o‐/p‐cresol, which is then excreted in the urine as conjugated glucuronides and sulfates. o‐Cresol and its conjugates can be chemically hydrolyzed to form free o‐cresol, which can then serve as a urinary biomarker of toluene exposure. Current analytical methods for quantifying o‐cresol in hydrolyzed urine are, however, either weakened by interference, are not sensitive enough or require water‐sensitive sample preparation. Development of a liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry method for assessing exposure to toluene is thus required. Method: Urine samples were acidified and heated to form free o‐cresol and then derivatized with dansyl chloride and diluted. Extracts were separated by reverse‐phase chromatography on a BEH phenyl column and then analyzed using a triple quadrupole instrument in selected reaction monitoring mode. Results: The dansyl chloride derivatization step was optimized to produce the derivative within a reaction time of 3 min. Hydrolysis efficiency in forming free o‐cresol from conjugated metabolites was evaluated using o‐cresol‐β‐d‐glucuronidespiked human urine: complete hydrolysis occurred in 45 min. Dynamic range was 0.4 to 40 μM, and the method was useful for toluene monitoring in non‐occupational (0.1 μmol/mmol creatinine) as well as occupational (0.3 μmol/mmol creatinine) exposure. The calculated limit of detection and limit of quantitation of the method were 0.06 and 0.21 μM, respectively. Intraday and interday precisions were 3.2% and 4.4%, respectively. Method accuracy was established as 99% using ClinChek® urine controls. Conclusion: An ultrahigh‐performance liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry method for analysis of o‐cresol was developed for biological monitoring of toluene exposure in human urine. This is the method of choice used by occupational health and safety practitioners in the province of Québec, Canada. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite the reactivity and degradability of 4,4'-methylenedianiline (4,4'-MDA) with organic matter in soils, the improvement of Brunet et al. method makes it possible to monitor the substance in the environment. In fact, 4,4'-MDA can be found in soils, used for agriculture for example, if 4,4'-methylene diphenyl diisocyanate (4,4'-MDI) based fertilizers and pesticides are used. The possible degradation of 4,4'-MDI-based polyurethane could result in formation of 4,4'-MDA. To have a soil where 4,4'-MDA could be uniformly distributed, an impregnation method was developed. The method was validated using 1 g of the impregnated soil ranging 2,4% to 10% of organic matter, and the addition of both internal and surrogate standard to correct any losses of the substance over the different steps of the method. The limit of detection (LOD) and limit of quantification (LOQ) for the determination of 4,4'-MDA in soil are 0.107 and 0.358 μg/kg (dry weight), respectively, with a dynamic range between 5 and 250 μg/kg. For the intra-day precision, the result was 4,28% and for the inter-day, it was 9,32%. The accuracy was 96,4% and the total recovery obtained was 82.02%. Moreover, the stability of 4,4'-MDA was demonstrated in dry soil samples or in samples completely immersed in methanol over a 14-day period. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Healthcare workers exposure to antineoplastic drugs can lead to adverse health effects. Guidelines promote the safe handling of antineoplastic drugs, but no safe exposure limit was determined. Regular surface sampling contributes to ensuring workers safety. Methods: A cross-sectional monitoring is conducted once a year with voluntary Canadian centers, since 2010. Twelve standardized sampling sites were sampled. Samples were analyzed by high performance mass coupled liquid chromatography. The limits of detection (in ng/cm2) were: 0.001 for cyclophosphamide and gemcitabine; 0.3 for docetaxel and ifosfamide; 0.04 for 5-fluorouracil and paclitaxel; 0.003 for irinotecan; 0.002 for methotrexate; 0.01 for vinorelbine. Results: The surfaces from 109 centers were sampled between 01/01/2020–18/06/2020. Twenty-six centers delayed their participation because of the COVID-19 pandemic. 1217 samples were analyzed. Surfaces were frequently contaminated with cyclophosphamide (34% positive, 75th percentile 0.00165 ng/cm2) and gemcitabine (16% and <0.001 ng/cm2). The armrest of patient treatment chairs (84% to at least one drug), the front grille inside the biological safety cabinet (BSC) (73%) and the floor in front of the BSC (55%) were frequently contaminated. Centers that prepared ≥5000 antineoplastic drugs annually had higher concentration of cyclophosphamide on their surfaces (p < 0.0001). Contamination measured on the surfaces was reduced from 2010 to 2020. Conclusions: This large-scale study showed reproducible long term follow up of the contamination of standardized sites of Canadian centers and a reduction in surface contamination from 2010 to 2020. Periodic surface sampling help centers meet their continuous improvements goals to reduce exposure as much as possible. The COVID-19 pandemic had a limited impact on the program. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The main objective was to determine the decontamination efficacy of quaternary ammonium, 0.1% sodium hypochlorite, and water after deliberate contamination with four antineoplastics (ifosfamide, 5-fluorouracil, irinotecan, methotrexate). A stainless-steel surface was deliberately contaminated with ifosfamide (15 µg), 5-fluorouracil (10 µg), irinotecan (1 µg), and methotrexate (1 µg). First, a single decontamination step with either water, quaternary ammonium, or 0.1% sodium hypochlorite was tested. Then, the effect of up to four successive decontamination steps with either quaternary ammonium or 0.1% sodium hypochlorite was tested. Commercial wipes consisting of two layers of non-woven microfibers with an inner layer of highly absorbent viscose fibers were used. Triplicate surface samples were obtained and tested by ultra-performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry. The limits of detection were 0.004 ng/cm2 for ifosfamide, 0.040 ng/cm2 for 5-fluorouracil, 0.003 ng/cm2 for irinotecan, and 0.002 ng/cm2 for methotrexate. After a single decontamination step, the 0.1% sodium hypochlorite eliminated 100% of contamination with 5-fluorouracil, irinotecan, and methotrexate and 99.6 ± 0.5% of ifosfamide contamination. Quaternary ammonium and water also removed 100% of the 5-fluorouracil, and 99.5% to 99.9% of the other three antineoplastics. For ifosfamide, irinotecan, and methotrexate, the decontamination efficacy increased with successive decontamination steps with quaternary ammonium. 5-fluorouracil was undetectable after a single decontamination step. Methotrexate was the only drug for which decontamination efficacy was less than 100% after four decontamination steps. 100% decontamination efficacy was achieved from the decontamination step with 0.1% sodium hypochlorite for 5-fluorouracil, irinotecan, and methotrexate. For ifosfamide, 100% efficacy was achieved only after the third decontamination step. It was possible to make all traces of antineoplastic undetectable after deliberate contamination with 5-fluorouracil, irinotecan, and methotrexate with a 0.1% chlorine solution; up to three decontamination steps were needed to make ifosfamide undetectable. Water or quaternary ammonium removed more than 99.5% of deliberate contamination. In several scenarios, it was necessary to repeat the decontamination to eliminate residual traces. More work is needed to identify the optimal decontamination approach for all of the antineoplastic drugs used. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]