EXPOSURE OF LIVING AND WORKING ENVIRONMENT BY CYTOSTATICS

Current medical practice uses medications with mode of action that is related to serious adverse effects. These agents may exhibit properties as carcinogenicity, genotoxicity, teratogenicity, etc. Cytostatics can be included into this group as well. Most used cytostatics are cytostatics of the Platinum group, and their use is still on increase. Due to the high efficiency of Pt group cytostatics and their metabolites, the annual volume and consumption dynamics, the work and life environment can be contaminated by these cytostatics. Danger to workers handling cytostatics results from long-term exposure to low doses due to trace contamination of work environment. Since data allowing quantitative determination of permissible exposure level are not available, it is necessary to take practical preventive measures to minimize the exposure.