Detection of inhaled pentamidine in health care workers

To the Editor: Although the data on toxicity are limited, widespread use of aerosolized pentamidine has aroused concern about the occupational exposure of health care workers, and some regulatory agencies are recommending costly environmental controls.^{1 2 3 4} Using high-performance liquid chromatography⁵ with a sensitivity to less than 0.5 ng per milliliter, we measured pentamidine in spot urine samples from 41 subjects; 36 were health care workers from three hospitals, and 5 were people from the community who were not health care workers. A questionnaire inquired about demographic information, treatment schedules, and environmental specifications. Reported values were the averages of four separate determinations.