Healthcare

Healthcare biological monitoring covers cytotoxic drug handling, anaesthetic gas exposure in theatres and recovery, and disinfectant or sterilant chemistries — each with established biomarkers and well-defined occupational hygiene programmes.

Cytotoxic drugs

Pharmacy aseptic units and oncology day units handle cyclophosphamide, ifosfamide, methotrexate and platinum agents. Urinary surface wipe surveillance and worker biomonitoring (urinary cyclophosphamide by LC-MS/MS, urinary platinum) verify that closed-system transfer devices and isolators are performing.

Anaesthetic gases

Nitrous oxide and volatile halogenated anaesthetics (sevoflurane, isoflurane, desflurane) escape from scavenging systems. Urinary N2O and exhaled-air halogenated agent measurements verify scavenger performance in theatres and PACU.

High-level disinfectants and sterilants

Glutaraldehyde, ortho-phthalaldehyde and ethylene oxide are sensitising or carcinogenic. Where airborne control is questioned, biomonitoring of urinary ethylene oxide adducts (HEMA) provides verification.