Occupational Dust Exposure in OSD Manufacturing

Air Filtration Eliminates Pharmaceutical Dust

The need for Oral Solid Dose (OSD) medications in our country is at an all-time high and is worth billions of dollars. Demand is growing. While the manufacturing of OSDs is heavily regulated by the FDA, the government doesn’t set indoor air pollution standards that would protect workers from the occupational health risks posed by long-term exposure to pharmaceutical dust and the toxins they may contain.

Oral Solid Dose Defined

Oral solid dosages are the most common type of medication in the US. Their forms include powders, granules, capsules, and tablets. They are a popular form of medicine due to their shelf stability, convenience, and cost-effectiveness.

Oral Solid Dose Manufacturing

Producing OSDs begins with ingredient formulation and development. Once prepared, powder mixtures are ground to improve compression and flow. The granules are blended with binding agents and then compressed into their product form, such as a tablet. Often a thin coating is added for flavoring or to enable controlled release into a patient’s bloodstream.

Grinding, mixing, and crushing during production can generate substantial dust, endangering workers and those within close proximity to the workspace where indoor air emissions occur.

Health Risks

According to an article published by NIH,

Occupational exposure to dust, even at low doses, is a risk to workers’ health because it is significantly associated with respiratory symptoms. It is known that the length of exposure to airborne substances (dust, gases, vapors, or chemicals) is directly related to the likelihood of respiratory problems, as well as that of asthma, lung cancer, hypersensitivity pneumonitis, and other interstitial lung diseases.1

The inhalation risks mentioned above do not even take into consideration the potentially toxic nature of a medication’s active ingredients. They could include hormones, steroids, opioids, and other elements that could prove harmful if the person being exposed is not the intended recipient.

Air Quality Solutions

Creating OSD medicines to improve the health of our population is an important and valuable industry – one that can protect both patients and workers – so long as mitigation strategies are in place. These systems should include proper room ventilation, regular equipment maintenance, and personal protective equipment (PPE) for all affected workers. Businesses that ensure a healthy IAQ for their workers opt for additional protection by using indoor air cleaning measures such as dust collection.

At AIRSInc., we protect our pharma manufacturing customers by offering exceptional air cleaning products, such as our portable S-DTL-1 Dust Collector. Dust collectors (also known as air purifiers, air cleaners, and filtration systems) can help improve IAQ by removing potentially hazardous emissions at their source before they can enter a worker’s breathing space. Call us today for a free consultation with one of our indoor environmental specialists to find out which one of our air cleaning products is right for you.