Rapid and sensitive determination of paclitaxel (Taxol (R)) in environmental samples by high-performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry

A new, rapid and sensitive method for the quantitative determination of pac litaxel (Taxol(R)) in environmental samples is developed and validated. Thi s highly sensitive and specific method was successfully applied to an envir onmental monitoring study for identifying occupational exposure situations to anticancer drugs. After addition of an internal standard, 2'-methylpacli taxel, aqueous extraction of wipe samples or air filters followed by a sing le-step liquid-liquid extraction with ethyl acetate was performed. Extracti on efficiency averaged 90%. The method is based on analysis by liquid chrom atography with tandem mass spectrometry in selected reaction monitoring mod e of environmental, samples from the preparation and administration of cyto static agents. The assay is linear (r = 0.998) in the range 2-64 ng on filt ers lair samples), and 20-320 ng on wipe samples. The accuracy of the assay is always less than or equal to 20% for both matrices, and the intra- and interday assay variability of paclitaxel ranged from 7 to 19% and 10 to 14% , respectively. The lower limit of quantification is assessed at 2 ng on fi lter and 10 ng on wipe samples. Copyright (C) 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.