The Effectiveness of Washing Clothing Contaminated With Cyclophosphamide: A Pilot Study.

This pilot study evaluated the effectiveness of washing methods recommended by Japanese guidelines for decontaminating clothing contaminated with cyclophosphamide (CTX), an anticancer drug. Using simulated contamination on cotton shirts, the study found that washing garments twice—either with or without detergent—reduced CTX levels below the measurable contamination threshold of 1 ng/cm², indicating effective decontamination. However, washing contaminated and uncontaminated clothing together led to low-level CTX transfer onto uncontaminated items, suggesting that contaminated laundry should be washed separately. The study also noted that detergents may not enhance CTX removal and highlighted the importance of caregivers using personal protective equipment when handling contaminated laundry. Further research is recommended to optimize washing procedures and assess other anticancer drugs and fabric types.