Particulate Matter of Particular Interest
Authors: RICHARD J. DUMA
Journal: Annals of Internal Medicine (1973)

Editorial Notes1 January 1973Particulate Matter of Particular InterestRICHARD J. DUMA, M.D., F.A.C.P.RICHARD J. DUMA, M.D., F.A.C.P.Search for more papers by this authorAuthor, Article, and Disclosure Informationhttps://doi.org/10.7326/0003-4819-78-1-146 SectionsAboutPDF ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissions ShareFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditEmail ExcerptFew physicians are aware that during the intravenous administration of certain medications, notably antibiotics, fibers of asbestos may also be infusing into their patients. In a study by Nicholson, Maggiore, and Selikoff recently published inScience(1), excessive quantities of chrysotile asbestos fibrils were found in 6 of 17 samples of commercially available parenteral medications examined by light and electron microscopy. Sodium acetazolamide, cephaloridine, sodium methicillin, sodium oxacillin, tetracycline HCl, and vancomycin HCl were notably contaminated. Apparently, the source of such particulate matter was asbestos filters, used by industry for sterilization and removal of foreign material from the final solution....References1. NICHOLSON W, MAGGIORE C, and SELIKOFF I: Asbestos contamination of parenteral drugs. Science 177:171-173, 1972 CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar2. GARVAN J and GUNNER B: Intravenous fluids: "a solution containing particles must not be used." Med J Aust 2:140-145, 1963 CrossrefGoogle Scholar3. GROSS M: The danger of particulate matter in solutions for intravenous use. Drug Intell 1:12-13, 1967 CrossrefGoogle Scholar4. DAVIS N, TURCO S, and SIVELLY E: A study of particulate matter in i.v. infusion fluids. Am J Hosp Pharm 27:822-826, 1970 MedlineGoogle Scholar5. Editorial: Clinical significance of particulate matter in intravenous fluids. Can J Hosp Pharm 14:226-229, 1971 Google Scholar6. AVIS K: Chemicals and particulate matter, in Symposium on Total Parenteral Nutrition, Nashville, 17-19 January, 1972 Google Scholar7. KITTLE C, BIANCHINI L, and HOSTETLER T: The development of chronic pulmonary hypertension. Surg Forum 9:360-364, 1958 MedlineGoogle Scholar8. JONES A: Potentially hazardous effects of introducing particulate matter into the vascular system of man and animals, in Symposium on Safety of Large Volume Parenteral Solutions, FDA, 28-29 July, 1966 Google Scholar9. GARVAN J and GUNNER B: The harmful effects of particles in intravenous fluids. Med J Aust 2:1-6, 1964 CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar10. SARRUT S and NEZELOF C: Une complication de la thérapeutique intravenineuse. Presse Med 68:375-377, 1960 MedlineGoogle Scholar11. HO N, CHURCH R, and LEE H: Particulate matter in parenteral solutions. Part II. Drug Intell 1:356-359, 1967 CrossrefGoogle Scholar12. WENDT V, PURO H, and SHAPIRO J: Angiothrombotic pulmonary hypertension in addicts. "Blue velvet" addiction. JAMA 188:137-139, 1964 CrossrefGoogle Scholar13. SELIKOFF I, CHURG J, and HAMMOND E: Asbestos exposure and neoplasia. JAMA 188:142-146, 1964 CrossrefGoogle Scholar14. LIEBEN J and PISTAWKA H: Mesothelioma and asbestos exposure. Arch Environ Health 14:559-563, 1967 CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar This content is PDF only. To continue reading please click on the PDF icon. Author, Article, and Disclosure InformationAuthors: RICHARD J. DUMA, M.D., F.A.C.P.Affiliations: Division of Infectious Diseases and Immunology Department of Medicine Medical College of Virginia Richmond, Va. PreviousarticleNextarticle Advertisement FiguresReferencesRelatedDetails Metrics Cited byParticulate contamination in selected parenteral drugs 1 January 1973Volume 78, Issue 1Page: 146-147KeywordsAntibioticsElectron microscopyHydrochloric acidParticulatesSodiumTetracyclinesVancomycin ePublished: 1 December 2008 Issue Published: 1 January 1973 PDF downloadLoading ...