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.