Thursday, June 20, 2013

NIOSH Study on Pharmaceutical Dust Hazards


A new NIOSH study investigates air samples and pharmaceutical dust exposures at an outpatient pharmacy. Air samples were analyzed for active pharmaceutical ingredients and lactose, a common inactive filler for tablets.

Multiple active pharmaceutical ingredients, as well as lactose, were found in the air directly surrounding employees, and one employee had personal air concentrations of lisinopril, a prescription drug, near or above the manufacturer’s exposure limit. Other concentrations of pharmaceutical ingredients were generally below the manufacturers’ exposure limits. NIOSH staff also noted that using compressed air to clean automatic dispensing machine canisters or filling the canisters with tablets generated dusts that likely contained pharmaceutical ingredients.

NIOSH offers the following recommendations to help reduce these exposures at pharmacies:

  • Pharmacies should gather information on the potential for and risks of exposures to active prescription drug ingredients.
  • Safety data sheets and manufacturer exposure guidelines for tablets should be used to create a list of dusty pharmaceuticals that are potentially hazardous.
  • Employees should use local exhaust hoods when performing dust-generating tasks.
  • Canisters should be cleaned using high efficiency particle air vacuums rather than compressed air.
  • Safety glasses and protective clothing should be provided to employees performing dust-generating tasks outside the exhaust hood.
  • Employees should be trained to wear nitrile gloves when handling pharmaceuticals.
  • Work surfaces should be cleaned with alcohol wipes regularly.


Find the complete study here.