Safe disposal of potent powders
a new collection container for its vacuum cleaners, designed to
allow the safe handling and disposal of hazardous materials,
including potent powder compounds in the pharmaceutical industry.
The disposable container, called Safe-Pak, can be used in tandem with Nilfisk-Advance's CFM 3156 and 3306 vacuum cleaners, which are certified for use in pharmaceutical cleanrooms down to ISO 5 (Class 100). It collects particles and retains them in a disposable HEPA-filtered unit, protecting the cleaner from contamination.
When the Safe-Pak unit is full, users simply dispose of the entire container, virtually eliminating the risk of contamination and exposure, according to the company, which believes it is the first product of its kind in the marketplace.
"Finding a way to safely collect and dispose of potent compounds has always been a major challenge for pharmaceutical manufacturers," said Paul Miller, vice president of Nilfisk-Advance America. He noted that Nilfisk-Advance collaborated with five of the largest pharmaceutical companies on developing a wish list for a product of this type, and the Safe-Pak is the result of that effort.
The pharmaceutical industry requires a particularly effective method of removing particulate matter from cleanrooms. For example, it is imperative that all traces of powder be removed from a manufacturing line if it is switched to a new product. Meantime, vacuum cleaners are often used to reclaim excess compounds in production processes, particularly if they are expensive.
Nilfisk-Advance's CFM 3156 and 3306 vacuums are designed for continuous operation in fixed installations, including in compression and filling processing suites.
For more information on the Safe-Pak accessory, visit Nilfisk-Advance America's website.
