The pharmaceutical business is responsible for developing life-saving treatments and vaccinations on which millions of people rely for their health and well-being. These goods’ safety, efficacy, and quality are critical, and any flaw in the production process might have catastrophic effects. Air quality is an important but frequently disregarded factor.
Particles, bacteria, and other pollutants in operating facilities can jeopardise product quality, employee health, and regulatory compliance. Compressed air quality testing is essential for ensuring that the air in production facilities is clean, regulated, and contaminant-free.
The Importance of Pharmaceutical Air Quality Testing
Protecting The Companys Reputation
Any incidents involving the quality or safety of a product can rapidly result in regulatory scrutiny, public scrutiny, and reputational harm. This can result in decreased consumer confidence, market share loss, and financial losses for the business.
Consequently, pharmaceutical companies can demonstrate their commitment to producing safe and high-quality products. This can increase consumer trust and confidence in the company and its products, thereby enhancing the company’s standing in the marketplace.
Adapting To Market Demands
New medications and treatments are being developed to combat emerging health problems such as COVID-19, and other diseases. To ensure both the security and effectiveness of these new medications and treatments, rigorous quality control measures, such as air quality testing, must be implemented.
Pharmaceutical firms can better position themselves to meet shifting market demands and develop new products in a safe and efficient manner by investing in the quality of air testing. This is especially important in a highly competitive market where companies are constantly seeking ways to differentiate themselves and obtain a competitive advantage.
Product Quality
This is an essential area for organisations to focus on since it aids in the identification of possible pollutants that may have a negative impact on product quality. The results of the tests indicate the cleanliness of the surrounding environment as well as the quality of the air used throughout the production process. If the air quality is bad, there is a larger possibility of product contamination, which can have a significant negative impact on product quality.
Employee Safety
The testing of air quality helps to ensure that the environment in the pharmaceutical sector working premises is acceptable for its intended function and safe for personnel to breathe.
Because poor air quality may cause a range of respiratory difficulties and other health concerns for workers, it is critical that testing be done frequently to assess whether the air is of an adequate level.
Cost-Effective Production
This is owing to the requirement to guarantee that pharmaceutical manufacture is cost-effective while maintaining high-quality assurance standards. As a result, it is vital to carry out this procedure since it assures that the manufacturing environment is free of pollutants that might harm the product or the people who are exposed to it.
Because the operational environment is safe and devoid of potential risks, the cost of manufacturing may be kept to a minimum while maintaining product quality. It also reduces the potential for cross-contamination across pharmaceutical batches, which may result in costly and time-consuming recalls.
Air Quality Testing Methods for Pharmaceutical Industry
In the pharmaceutical industry, the International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO) has established the most widely accepted compressed air standards. ISO 8573 defines the compressed air quality classes in terms of particulate, moisture, and hydrocarbon content. The standard specifies a range of quality classes, from Class 0 (the highest quality) to Class 9 (the lowest quality).
Class 1 is the most prevalent compressed air quality standard within the pharmaceutical industry. It is required that compressed air contain no more than 10 particulates per cubic metre with a particle size of at least 0.5 microns. Additionally, the standard stipulates that the compressed air must have a dew point below -40°C and contain no detectable oil.
Conclusion
Product quality, safety, and regulatory compliance are critical in the pharmaceutical sector. Airborne pollutants can endanger product quality, employee health, and public safety.
Manufacturers may detect possible sources of contamination, control risks, assure ongoing monitoring, and protect customer and public safety through rigorous testing. Investing in rigorous testing can help assure the highest quality and safety standards in the manufacture of life-saving pharmaceutical goods.
