Rapid and sensitive determination of paclitaxel (Taxol®) in environmental samples by high-performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry

A new, rapid and sensitive method for the quantitative determination of paclitaxel (Taxol(R)) in environmental samples is developed and validated. This highly sensitive and specific method was successfully applied to an environmental monitoring study for identifying occupational exposure situations to anticancer drugs. After addition of an internal standard, 2'-methylpaclitaxel, aqueous extraction of wipe samples or air filters followed by a single-step liquid-liquid extraction with ethyl acetate was performed. Extraction efficiency averaged 90%. The method is based on analysis by liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry in selected reaction monitoring mode of environmental, samples from the preparation and administration of cytostatic agents. The assay is linear (r = 0.998) in the range 2-64 ng on filters lair samples), and 20-320 ng on wipe samples. The accuracy of the assay is always less than or equal to 20% for both matrices, and the intra- and interday assay variability of paclitaxel ranged from 7 to 19% and 10 to 14%, respectively. The lower limit of quantification is assessed at 2 ng on filter and 10 ng on wipe samples. Copyright (C) 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.