Effectiveness of cleaning of workplace cytotoxic surface.

PURPOSE: To minimize the risk of chronic occupational exposure of antineoplastic drugs, cleaning procedures must be evaluated. This study was conducted to compare the detergent efficiency of cleaning solutions (two hydro-alcoholic solutions, three disinfectants and two detergents) used in different cleaning protocols. METHODS: The central surface of a stainless steel plate (30 × 50 cm) was exposed to a carboplatin solution equivalent to 105,100 ng of platinum. After cleaning according to a standardized protocol, residual platinum contaminations were assayed on 10 × 10 cm sections. RESULTS: After standardized cleaning, the residual quantity of platinum on the surface of the deposit accounted for between 1.0 and >15 % of the initial deposit. Spread of contamination on the plate depended on the cleaning movement and was between 2.1 and 53.9 % of the total quantity on the plate. The two detergents were more efficient (2,793-4,780 ng/plate) than hydro-alcoholic solutions (>20,000 ng/plate). The efficacy of the disinfectant was intermediate (5,891-6,122 ng/plate for solutions and 15,360 ng/plate for pre-soaked gauze). The cleaning protocol was also important with better efficiency of 8 mL of cleaning solution for 1,500 cm(2) (versus 4 mL), sprayed directly on the plate (versus wiping) with no contact time (versus 5 min). CONCLUSION: The efficacy of chemical decontamination of cytotoxic work surfaces depends not only on the cleaning solution used, but also on the cleaning protocol. It is necessary to adapt the protocol to the surface to clean and it must be standardized and validated. This work is an example of an experimental procedure to evaluate the efficacy of cleaning solutions and protocols used at a workstation after exposure to antineoplastic drugs.