Objective To quantify levels of Ifosfamide (IF) in urine among healthcare workers in a hospital setting.

Methods This cross-sectional study identified 70 subjects who handled IF in oncology wards or antineoplastic drug preparing units at a medical school hospital. Their urine samples were collected at 1–2 hours prior to the end of each work shift, the levels of IF was determinate by gas chromatography mass spectrometer (GC/MS). Information on demographic information, work practice, work position, working station, medication timing and dosages including the time of urine collections was collected using self-administered questionnaires and personal interviews.

Results IF levels were detected in urine of 20 personnel (28.6% of total) with geometric mean of 3.6 ng /mL, arithmetic mean 43.6 ng /mL, min-max of 16–526 ng/mL. Among IF-positive subjects, 53.8% of workers with were in the age group of 41–60 years. Levels of IF were found in all subjects who were drug-preparing workers were found positive tests for IF. The levels of urine IF (geometric mean) were found to be of 526 ng/mL among the pharmacist assistants, 3.1 ng/mL for cleaning worker, 2.9 ng/mL for nurses, and 86.8 ng/mL for pharmacists.

Conclusions All groups of healthcare workers in the processes of anti-neoplastic medication especially among pharmacist assistants and cleaning workers. Although in a high standard protection against the oncological chemicals, health personnel are at risk of contaminations especially among professional assistants and general workers.