The need for contained handling and processing of pharmaceuticals started
to rise significantly about 15 years ago. Reasons were an increased focus on
health and safety aspects and also the development of more high potent active
pharmaceutical ingredients (HP API’s). The response by the pharmaceutical
equipment suppliers has resulted in market improvements in the containment
levels achievable, using both established solids-handling equipment, and new
innovative techniques.
The selection of suitable equipment at the right place however requires an
in depth understanding of certain containment aspects. Firstly to assure that
the chosen equipment performs in the required level, but also, and this is
important from the investment aspect, to prevent an expensive and unnecessary
potential “Overkill“.
The following article describes containment aspects like product specific
exposure limits, equipment related real exposure values and finally the
correlation between these two. Only when these aspects are brought together in
the right way, can we speak of a tailor made containment solution.