Evaluation of environmental contamination by platinum and exposure risks for healthcare workers during a heated intraperitoneal perioperative chemotherapy (HIPEC) procedure

Abstract

The study was plan to assess platinum (Pt) contamination in the operating room and its exposure to health workers during heated intraperitoneal perioperative chemotherapy (HIPEC) using oxaliplatin.

Materials and methods: Pt was measured in urinary and environmental (air and surfaces) samples via inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Urinary samples were obtained from 11 members of the staff before and after the procedure and from 6 controls. Samples from 15 surfaces and from 3 filters from the air extractors were also analyzed for Pt contamination.

Results: Before HIPEC, Pt levels in urinary samples were similar in both the exposed and control groups; concentrations were below the limit of detection (i.e., 1.5 ng/L). No elevation was observed in the exposed group at the end of the procedure. Surgeon gloves were heavily contaminated. On other analyzed surfaces, lesser amounts of Pt were measured, ranging from 2 ng on the surgeon's hands to 183 ng on the forceps. All three air filters tested negative.

Conclusion: No contamination of healthcare workers or of the air in the operating room was detected. However, the heavy contamination of the surgeon's gloves demonstrates why doubling of specialized gloves for the surgeon should be mandatory.