This presentation discusses the history and evolution of chemotherapy, as well as the extreme danger of cytotoxic chemotherapy drugs making their way into our drinking water, as well as a safe and simple way for chemo patients to protect their families and our environment.

1. Dr. Theresa O’Keefe PhD.
Jim Mullowney
Pharma-Cycle, Inc.
Presentation at the CleanMed Conference
Cleveland Ohio June 5, 2014

2. Origins of Chemotherapy

3. U.S. Department of Defense
begins to study mustard
gas as a cancer
treatment during
World War I

4. Therapeutic uses for
liquid mustard gas are
discovered in
the 1930s and
1940s.

5. Use of chemotherapy
begins in the 1950s.

6. In 1986, OSHA develops
regulations to protect
workers when handling
chemo drugs.

7. In 2011 Hospitals Warned of
Cancer
Birth Defects
Miscarriages
Irreversible
Effects Even
After Low-Level Exposures.

8. Governments and Employers
Zero Exposure for ALL WORKERS
Drug
Manufacturing

9. Governments and Employers
Zero Exposure for ALL WORKERS
Pharmaceutical
Compounding

10. Governments and Employers
Zero Exposure for ALL WORKERS
Nursing Staff

11. Governments and Employers
Zero Exposure for ALL WORKERS
Cleaning
Staff

12. It is a crime to throw an
empty chemotherapy
container in
the trash.

13. Yet chemo patients are sent home
after treatments without knowing:
Chemo drugs are
excreted in active
form for 48 hours
after each treatment.

14. Yet chemo patients are sent home
after treatments without knowing:
Families, pets, and
caregivers are at
risk of exposure
to DNA-damaging chemicals.

15. Yet chemo patients are sent home
after treatments without knowing:
Pregnant women, babies,
and small children
are particularly
vulnerable.

16. Yet chemo patients are sent home
after treatments without knowing:
Public drinking
water supplies
become
contaminated.

17. Septic systems
and wastewater
treatment plants
CANNOT REMOVE
cytotoxic chemicals.

18. The US Geological Survey
and the US EPA conducted
a study to find
the source of the
contaminants.

19. In 2008 “Cancer Fish”
were found on Cape Cod

20. The fish had extremely
high levels of DNA damage
caused by
genotoxic
chemicals.

21. Residents on
Cape Cod have
extraordinarily
high rates of
cancer.

22. 80% of the households on
Cape Cod are entirely
dependent on
onsite septic
systems.

23. Results suggest the
genotoxic material was
coming from surrounding
residential septic systems

24. Danger of Exposure to
Patients’ Excretia
Organizations must manage their hazardous
wastes and this extends to patients receiving
highly excretable chemotherapy drugs

25. Danger of Exposure to
Patients’ Excreta
Safe administration of high alert and hazardous
medications includes informing family about
proper disposal when new medications are
started (MM.06.06.01, MM.01.01.03)

26. Danger of Exposure to
Patients’ Excreta
Education/learning needs assessment must
include safe use and disposal both during and
after hospital discharge ( PC.02.03.01)

27. Danger of Exposure to
Patients’ Excreta
Cautionary labels covering proper disposal and
danger to others must be provided to patients
and others with whom the patient may contact
(MM.05.01.09)

28. Danger of Exposure to
Patients’ Excreta
Organizations are required to be in compliance with
law and regulation regarding proper use, handling and
disposal of such medications including education of
patients receiving high alert and hazardous
medications (EC.02.02.01, LD.04.01.01)

29. In 2013, WHO warns of
“disastrous ecological
consequences.”

30. Cytotoxic
Chemo Drugs
Genotoxic Waste is:

31. Genotoxic Waste is:
Empty
Chemo Vials
and IV Bags

32. Genotoxic Waste is:
Used
Chemo
Gloves

33. Genotoxic Waste is:
Patient Urine,
Feces, and
Vomit
*For 48
Hours

34. Who is responsible for
Genotoxic waste
management, including
urine, feces, and vomit
Chief Pharmacist
June 5, 2014 Pharma-Cycle, LLC 34

35. Who is responsible for
the cost of managing
Genotoxic waste:
Health-Care
Providers
June 5, 2014 Pharma-Cycle, LLC 35

36. Rhode Island defines “Extremely
Hazardous Waste” as
Cytotoxic
Chemotherapy
Agents

37. Rhode Island Pending Legislation
would protect families and our
drinking water supply from
Cytotoxic
Chemotherapy Agents

38. Capture the
chemicals
before they
get into the
water

39. Cytotoxic Safety Kit
Control Contaminated Waste at Source
Urine and stool
samples for
48 hours after
each treatment

40. This is a worldwide problem
with a local solution.
Pharma-Cycle, LLC
55 John Clarke Road
Middletown, RI 02842
Jim Mullowney
(800) 409-0431
jmullowney@pharma-cycle.com
www.pharma-cycle.com