[Evaluation of platinum contamination of a hazardous drug preparation area in a hospital pharmacy].

In our hospital, in accordance with recommendations for personnel protection, hazardous drugs are prepared in a class II biological safety cabinet (BSC) located in a specific area of the pharmacy. The aim of this study was to validate the efficiency of this unit in personnel protection by measuring levels of platinum in the working environment (platinum being the most common antineoplastic agent used in this hospital). Two series of surface sampling were conducted, preparation guidelines were changed for parts after first results have been completed. Performance of the sampling method is about 35%. Platinum was measured by atomic absorption spectrophotometry technique. The analytical detection limit was 10 mug/L of platinum and was sufficient to detect less than one micro-drop of cisplatinum solution (1 mg/mL). Platinum was found inside the BSC at the end of the working day: 2 to 998 pg/cm2 or 2 to 20 ppm of the total cisplatinum handled. All samples outside the BSC showed little (less than the detection limit) or no contamination. Gloves were often contaminated, either by contaminated commercial drug vials or through handling errors. Working guidelines changes did not lead to the absence contamination on surfaces. Gloves should therefore be changed frequently (every 15 min), personnel training should be regularly re-evaluated, BSC and rooms should be thoroughly cleaned every day. In this way, a centralized unit provides total protection from exposure to hazardous drugs.