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Pharmaceutical dust exposure at pharmacies using automatic dispensing machines: a preliminary study.
Kenneth W Fent1, Srinivas Durgam, Charles Mueller
1a Division of Surveillance, Hazard Evaluations, and Field Studies , National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) , Cincinnati , Ohio.
Journal of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
|May 15, 2014
Summary
Pharmacy employees using automatic dispensing machines (ADMs) can be exposed to pharmaceutical dust. Tasks like refilling ADM canisters generate dust, and some active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) exceeded exposure limits, indicating a need for control measures.
Area of Science:
- Occupational Health
- Environmental Science
- Pharmaceutical Sciences
Background:
- Automatic dispensing machines (ADMs) are widely used in pharmacies for pharmaceutical handling.
- Uncoated tablets dispensed by ADMs can generate airborne pharmaceutical dust.
- Assessing employee exposure to this dust is crucial for workplace safety.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate pharmaceutical dust and active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) exposure among pharmacy employees.
- To identify tasks associated with higher dust generation and exposure levels.
- To determine if API exposures exceed occupational exposure limits.
Main Methods:
- Air sampling in employee breathing zones using optical particle counters and inhalable dust collection.
- Gravimetric analysis and liquid chromatography for lactose and specific API quantification.
- Real-time particle monitoring and employee feedback to identify dust-generating tasks.
Main Results:
- Pharmaceutical dust was generated during ADM canister refilling and cleaning.
- Higher lactose concentrations (5.0–12 μg/m³) were found in air samples of employees handling ADM canisters.
- Ten APIs were detected, with lisinopril concentrations exceeding hazard control bands in three instances.
Conclusions:
- Pharmacy employees face exposure to pharmaceutical dust and multiple APIs.
- Tasks involving ADM operation and manual handling contribute significantly to exposure.
- Implementing control measures is necessary to mitigate occupational exposures in pharmacies.
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