WHY HUMIDIFY PHARMACEUTICAL MANUFACTURING FACILITIES?
As the competitive landscape changes, manufacturers of pharmaceutical drugs are looking for ways to increase productivity and eliminate waste to meet the demands of consumers. Through a customized solution specific to a manufacturer’s needs, better control of relative humidity can create an additional layer of protection to protect product integrity, lower the risk of contamination, decrease the cost of production, and minimize waste.
As DriSteem humidifiers have been installed within manufacturing facilities around the globe, including some currently producing the vaccination for SARS-CoV-2, you can trust these systems to offer the protection you need.
Critical environmental parameters including temperature, humidity, room pressurization, air change rates, and operating particle counts must be carefully considered. Optimal levels and tolerances may vary by room in a pharmaceutical manufacturing facility and separation between rooms must be planned in accordance with those requirements. Some processes require dedicated or redundant HVAC system in order to preserve appropriate room conditions.
When humidity levels are lower than 45%, a manufacturer may experience static buildup which can cause medicine to dry out and become brittle. There may also be issues during tablet pressing and packaging stage as excessive static causes medicine to stick together. Too much humidity creates an ideal environment for viruses, bacteria, and mold to grow, compromising the integrity of the pharmaceutical drug. It is recommended pharmaceutical manufacturers maintain the RH between 35 and 60 percent within their facility by the ASHRAE Handbook.