Volatile Organic Compounds and Ionic Substances Contamination in Cell Processing Facilities During Rest Period; a Preliminary Assessment of Exposure to Cell Processing Operators

Overview

Journal Regen Ther

Date 2023 Jul 31

PMID 37519908

Authors

Mitsuru Mizuno

Koki Abe

Takashi Kakimoto

Keiichi Yano

Yukiko Ota

Kengo Tomita

Naoki Kagi

Ichiro Sekiya

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Introduction: Cell processing operators (CPOs) use a variety of disinfectants that vaporize in the workspace environment. These disinfectants can induce allergic reactions in CPOs, due to their long working hours at cell processing facilities (CPFs). Ionic substances such as CHCOO generated from peracetic acid, nitrogen oxides (NOx) and sulfur oxides (SOx) from outdoor environment are also known to pollute air. Therefore, our objective was to assess the air quality in CPFs and detect volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from disinfectants and building materials, and airborne ionic substances from outdoor air.

Methods: Sampling was conducted at three CPFs: two located in medical institutions and one located at a different institution. Air samples were collected using a flow pump. Ion chromatographic analysis of the anionic and cationic compounds was performed. For VOC analysis, a thermal desorption analyzer coupled with capillary gas chromatograph and flame ionization detector was used.

Results: Analysis of the ionic substances showed that Cl, NOx, and SOx, which were detected in large amounts in the outdoor air, were relatively less in the CPFs. Ethanol was detected as the main component in the VOC analysis. Toluene was detected at all sampling points. As compared to the other environments, air in the incubator contained larger amounts of VOCs, that included siloxane, tetradecane, and aromatics.

Conclusions: No VOCs or ionic substances of immediate concern to the health of the CPOs were detected during the non-operating period. However, new clinical trials of cell products are currently underway in Japan, and a variety of new cell products are expected to be approved. With an increase in cell processing, health risks to CPOs that have not been considered previously, may become apparent. We should continue to prepare for the future expansion of the industry using a scientific approach to collect various pieces of information and make it publicly available to build a database.

Citing Articles

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Mizuno M, Suda D, Matsumura C, Sekiya I PLoS One. 2025; 20(1):e0318006.

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