The Threats of Contamination
The manufacturing process of combining precise levels of organic and synthetic chemicals to create products such as perfume or medicine is an extremely delicate and meticulous process. Because these products generally require several ingredients, the risk of cross contamination is high and can be dangerous. Chemical residue or non-sanitized equipment can mix unwanted materials into the product, which can destroy its integrity all together or cause harmful reactions from even trace amounts. Chemical contamination renders products immediately unusable due to unknown or potentially significant effects on the body. Fortunately, contamination during chemical processing can be avoided with careful and detailed cleaning procedures.
Cleaning vs Sterilization vs Sanitation
Cleaning refers to the removal of all dirt and soils from surfaces using detergent. This includes equipment surfaces, floors, walls, and doors. Cleaning is effective in reducing biological contamination or unwanted bacteria, yeast, mold, or viruses, but further cleaning with sanitizing agents is necessary to control and eliminate microorganisms. Sterilization refers to the total elimination of microorganisms by heat or chemical agents, rendering the factory completely free of living organisms. Sanitation reduces the overall level of microorganisms by >99.9% through chemical agents or other methods such as steam or a combination of cleaning and sanitizing. The end result does not guarantee the complete absence of microorganisms, but it does guarantee that the germ level of the sanitized space is safe according to public health standards. Most manufacturing facilities clean and sanitize, while sterilizing important equipment used with various materials or products.
Sanitation Tips for Pharmaceuticals and Nutraceuticals
Pharmaceutical and nutraceutical factories are faced with the heightened challenge of maintaining a fully sanitized space due to the nature of their products. Environmental control in a pharmaceutical manufacturing facility should be the top priority by closely following the facility’s cleaning and sanitizing procedures. One way these factories maintain environmental control is through the use of cleanrooms, which are designed to minimize and control contamination. These cleanrooms allow for the manufacturing of sterile products void of microbial contamination by controlling the air quality, ventilation, air pressure, temperature and humidity, hazardous materials, and employee laundry and PPE. Cleanrooms should have a specified industrial sanitation and cleaning standard that must be met at all times. Gloved hands of staff should also be sanitized on a frequent basis with ethanol or isopropanol hand sanitizer. Outside the cleanroom, other processing areas, equipment, walls, and floors should also be regularly cleaned and sanitized through hot water washdown or detergents. Arguably one of the best and most effective cleaning and sanitation process is the use of steam. Steam breaks down dirt, grime, and microorganisms to a fully sanitized level, ensuring your products are free from contaminants. Consider using steam washdown equipment if your facility is equipped with a steam source to achieve proper sanitation. SuperKlean offers the safest and most effective factory sanitation equipment on the market. Our steam water mixing stations, industrial spray nozzles, and hot water washdown hoses and hose racks never leak steam or cause water to pool on your factory floors, creating even more dangerous opportunities for contamination. Trust SuperKlean Washdown Products for top of the line plant sanitation equipment!