EVAPORATION OF CYTOSTATIC DRUGS DURING PREPARATION

For the purpose of occupational health and safety and product safety, cytostatic drugs are prepared at enclosed and especially protected wor k benches. Filters (high efficiency submicron particulate airfilters) make sure that particulate matter is separated, while gaseous componen ts are not. As far as cytostatic vapours are released during the prepa ration of cytostatic drugs, they might, under certain circumstances, c ontaminate the workplace atmosphere. This is also true for cytostatic particles on the filter which may change to the gaseous condition in t he course of time. The vapour pressure values for cyclophosphamide and 5-fluorouracil were determined within the framework of research proje cts co-financed by the Ministries for Science and Research and for Lab our rind Social Affairs of North Rhine-Westphalia. A vapour pressure b alance was used in accordance with Guideline 104 of the OECD. At a tem perature of 20 degrees C, 0.0033 Pa were measured for cyclophosphamide and 0.0014 Pa for 5-fluorouracil. From this, saturation concentration s of 0.36 mg/m(3) and 0.08 mg/m(3) can be derived. In the mentioned ca ses, particles of a diameter of 50 mu m are evaporated within approxim ately a day's time.