General Guidance for Local Exhaust Ventilation Controls:
Providing effective extraction and filtration for localized containment systems.
- Each laboratory should be equipped with enough fume cupboards and ventilated enclosures for the work anticipated. Fume cupboards should be connected to a high volume, low static, mechanical exhaust system. Emission control or stack monitoring devices should be provided for laboratory exhaust systems to comply with local environmental regulations.
- Local exhaust drops (point extraction ducts) should be considered and provided as necessary for capturing emissions from laboratory equipment where necessary.
- Ideally a designated storage area should be incorporated to provide a centrally controlled and safe storage area for chemicals. Where chemicals are in frequent use within the laboratory area itself, ventilated storage cabinets should be installed to minimize exposure to volatile hazardous materials. These systems should provide additional fire protection if used to contain flammable substances.
ADDITIONAL CONTAINMENT CONTROLS FOR CATEGORY 3 – POTENT COMPOUNDS
Local exhaust drops (or point extraction) are highly recommended for potential emissions from laboratory equipment that comes into contact with pharmaceutical compounds (e.g., as with laboratory assay
equipment such as high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), differential scanning colorimetry (DSC) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) systems)
- Recirculation of exhaust air from laboratory containment enclosures such as Isolators, Gloveboxes, Ventilated Balance Enclosures, Bio-Safety Cabinets, or similar containment/control devices is not recommended.
- Safe change (e.g., bag in/bag out) exhaust air filtration systems are recommended. This applies to both facility (room) exhaust air systems, as well as for control device systems.
ADDITIONAL CONTAINMENT CONTROLS FOR CATEGORY 4 – HIGHLY POTENT COMPOUNDS
- Local exhaust drops (point extraction ducts) are strongly recommended and should be provided for equipment ventilation if the equipment comes into contact with pharmaceutical compounds (e.g., as is potentially the case with HPLC, DSC, and TGA systems).
- Recirculation of exhaust air from any laboratory containment systems such as Isolators, Gloveboxes, Ventilated Balance Enclosures, Biosafety Cabinets, or similar containment/control devices is highly discouraged.
- Safe change (e.g., bag in/bag out) exhaust air filtration systems are strongly advised. This applies to both facility (room) exhaust air systems, as well as for control device systems.
Read more about safety design aspects of pharmaceutical laboratories regarding the following areas: