There is a growing trend for pharmaceutical ingredients, particularly Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (API’s), to consist of smaller molecules to provide faster reactions and greater potency. Solvents are often used in the processing phases. Whilst providing significant benefits in terms of drug delivery and performance, it creates a number of challenges for pharma manufacturers and their production processes.
The more potent the dust (OEB - Occupational Exposure Band), the lower the Occupational Exposure Limits (OEL) are set for personnel coming into contact with the materials. It is the employers’ responsibility to know and understand these exposure limits for each product they are using, and take the necessary steps to ensure the limits are not exceeded. The information regarding exposure limits is country specific. Using the UK as an example, the information is available via the HSE website: http://www.hse.gov.uk/coshh/basics/exposurelimits.htm
United Kingdom
