In pharmaceutical manufacturing and clean room applications controlling microorganisms is critical, especially microorganisms deposited into the air stream by human skin shedding.
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
Pharmaceutical laboratories, manufacturing facilities and clean rooms require clean, pure air for employee health and equipment longevity. A unique challenge to laboratory air quality is controlling microorganisms deposited into the air stream.
Organic Particles Common Pollutants in Pharmaceutical Labs
According to the Federal Drug Administration (FDA), pharmaceutical facilities need to be concerned with airborne particles and their effect on the products being produced as well as the health of the employees of the facility.
Microorganisms are common air contaminants within a pharmaceutical environment. Controlling levels of microbiological contamination in the air surrounding sensitive processing has become a common in pharmaceutical clean rooms, where particularly vulnerable processes are contained. Sophisticated monitoring systems have been designed for the pharmaceutical industry’s delicate operations.
The people in the lab are the main source of microbial contamination. This environment is also sensitive to airborne bacteria and fungal spores, which survive many outdated and inadequate attempts at air purification. Air quality is critical in the pharmaceutical sector, where sterility is required. Clean rooms utilizing the most effective air purification processes available reduce contamination levels during the most sensitive processes
Health Risks
Health risks of low indoor air quality within the pharmaceutical industry expand beyond the employees to include anyone who makes use of the products created and developed within the facility.
Chemicals and cleaning products used to maintain a sterile environment can cause a variety of health problems, such as irritated skin and eyes, respiratory problems, and cancer. Microorganism air pollutants can contaminate laboratory processes and products as well as affecting the health of those working within the facility.
Low quality indoor air can cause many symptoms that lead to reduced productivity and employee absenteeism. Effects of high indoor air pollutants include lethargy, nausea, fatigue, and irritated eyes.
The contaminants common to the pharmaceutical industry can be controlled by the installation of a CosaTron System.
CosaTron System Control Common Contaminants
The most common contaminants found in pharmaceutical laboratories include chemicals and microorganisms. A CosaTron Air Purification System will control these dangerous contaminants, reduce plating and provide a steady flow of fresh, recirculated air in any pharmaceutical environment. The Series 1000 and 2000 Systems were designed specifically to work with specialized air conditioning units that to minimize these types of air quality problems.
Source: http://www.fda.gov/ICECI/Inspections/InspectionGuides/ucm074914.htm
Keywords: industrial air quality, manufacturing facilities, indoor air pollution, workplace safety, formaldehyde, downflow air systems
