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Case study of a drug manufacturer
OberA has installed an AIRBOX mobile VOC extraction unit with suction arm for the pharmaceutical industry and drug manufacturing.
The unit has been specially designed to meet a specific need: the treatment of VOCs and gaseous pollutants, including BME (Beta Mercaptoethanol). The AIRBOX mobile suction unit is made entirely of stainless steel. It features 3 stages of filtration: a G4 dust pre-filter, an activated carbon main filter (specific cartridges) and a HEPA H14 high-efficiency end filter to prevent any release of particles into the area.
The company entrusted OberA with the task of improving the working conditions of its operators, thus guaranteeing them a clean and healthy workspace.
What is mercaptoethanol?
Mercaptoethanol is a chemical compound (formula HOCH2CH2SH) frequently used in pharmaceutical processes for protein analysis. It is used to reduce the disulfide bridges present in proteins, and can therefore act as a biological antioxidant. However, mercaptoethanol is a toxic substance that needs to be handled with care. Indeed, this chemical emanates a strong, nauseating odor . That’s why it’s important to treat it in order to provide a healthy workspace for its operators.
The dangers of mercaptoethanol
Mercaptoethanol is toxic by all routes (ingestion, inhalation and skin contact), and can therefore cause irritation of the eyes, nose and skin. In some cases, this pollutant can cause headaches, dizziness, urinary disorders, pulmonary edema and respiratory failure.
How to treat this GAS pollutant?
Our AIRBOX mobile suction unit has been specially designed to meet the needs and specifications of the pharmaceutical industry. Molecular filtration combined with particulate filtration was implemented with activated carbon cartridges and a HEPA H14 high-efficiency filter. The activated carbon filter binds the gaseous pollutant (mercaptoethanol). The HEPA H14 high-efficiency filter adsorbs residual dust and particles.
Where can mercaptoethanol be found?
Used in many fields, mercaptoethanol can be employed both as a solvent for dyes and as a chemical intermediate in the production of pharmaceutical products like our customer. Mixed with other products, mercaptoethanol can also be used as a rubber chemical, flotation agent, insecticide, biochemical reagent, reducing agent, plasticizer, PVC stabilizer or agricultural chemical.
Our odor and VOC treatment equipment
