title: Analytical protocol for the sensitive determination of mannitol, sorbitol and glucose containing powders in pharmaceutical workplaces by ion chromatography using a pulsed amperometric detector.
abstract: Workers in the pharmaceutical industry can potentially be exposed to airborne dusts and powders that can contain potent active pharmaceutical ingredients (API). Occupational hygienists and health and safety professionals need to assess and ultimately minimise such inhalation and dermal exposure risks. Containment of dusts at source is the first line of defence but the performance of such technologies needs to be verified, for which purpose the good practice guide: assessing the particulate containment performance of pharmaceutical equipment, produced by the International Society for Pharmaceutical Engineering (ISPE), is a widely used reference document. This guide recommends the use of surrogate powders that can be used to challenge the performance of such containment systems. Materials such as lactose and mannitol are recommended as their physical properties (adhesion, compactability, dustiness, flow characteristics and particle sizes) mimic those of API-containing materials typically handled. Furthermore they are safe materials to use, are available in high purity and can be procured at a reasonable cost. The aim of this work was to develop and validate a sensitive ion-chromatography based analytical procedure for the determination of surrogate powders collected on filter samples so as to meet analytical requirements set out in this ISPE guide.
authors.affiliation: Analytical Chemistry Team, Health and Safety Laboratory, Harpur Hill, Buxton, Derbyshire SK17 9JN, United Kingdom. Electronic address: owen.butler@hsl.gsi.gov.uk.
authors.forename: Owen
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Butler
authors.affiliation: Analytical Chemistry Team, Health and Safety Laboratory, Harpur Hill, Buxton, Derbyshire SK17 9JN, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: James
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Forder
authors.affiliation: Exposure and Control Team, Health and Safety Laboratory, Harpur Hill, Buxton, Derbyshire SK17 9JN, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Saunders
mesh_terms: D002845:Chromatography / Q000379:methods*; D004345:Drug Industry / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000592:standards; D004391:Dust / Q000032:analysis; D005947:Glucose / Q000032:analysis*; D006801:Humans; D019570:Inhalation Exposure / Q000517:prevention & control; D008353:Mannitol / Q000032:analysis*; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000517:prevention & control; D011208:Powders / Q000032:analysis; D013012:Sorbitol / Q000032:analysis*; D017132:Workplace
chemical_list: D004391:Dust; D011208:Powders; D008353:Mannitol; D013012:Sorbitol; D005947:Glucose
keywords: Containment; Exposure; Ion chromatography; Surrogates; Workplace