Penetration and splash protection of six disposable gown materials against fifteen antineoplastic drugs

Abstract

Introduction. Six commercially available, disposable protective gown materials were tested for splash protection and penetration against 15 antineoplastic drugs and five control solutions. Materials. The commercially available drugs in standard concentrations included etoposide, teniposide, docetaxel, paclitaxel, carmustine, topotecan, irinotecan, doxorubicin, liposomal doxorubicin, vinorelbine, cisplatin, carboplatin, mitoxantrone, cyclophosphamide, and fluorouracil. Control solutions included water, saline, 10% ethanol, fluorescein aqueous, and fluorescein in 25% ethanol. Methods. A6 3 6 cm gown sample was placed on an absorptive pad on the work surface of a biological safety cabinet. A single drop of each solution was dropped onto the gown from a height of 20 cm to simulate a simple splash. Each dispensed drop was observed for 1 minute. Two endpoints were used: (a) absorption into the gown material versus beading on the gown surface and (b) visible detection of the drug on the opposite side of the gown. Results. Two gowns failed; one (ChemoPlust) allowed penetration of 10 solutions and the other (ChemoBloct Wraparound), four solutions. Three gowns allowed non-water soluble drugs to soak into the material but did not allow penetration: Tyvekt (five drugs), ChemoBloct Maximum (two drugs), and CYTA (one drug). Only one gown (Saranext) provided complete splash protection, with beading on the gown surface observed for all agents. Conclusions. Gowns with polyethylene or vinyl coating provided adequate splash protection and prevented penetration of the challenge chemicals during the 1-minute observation period. Polypropylene-based gowns did not provide adequate splash protection and should not be used to prepare chemotherapy.