Page 18 - CIJ Feb 2025 - Digital Edition

COVER STORY

wareness about available On air pollution in urban areas, Mumbai is more than 70 per cent
technologies and equipment is Sharma noted: “Night-time throughout the year, except in
growing, from aerosols to air contamination is higher as particles winter months. Aerosol increases
purifiers, moisture-reducing settle due to lower temperatures. humidity, corrosion also can
AACs to indoor plants. Rusan Most infections occur at night, happen when droplets formed
Pharma Limited’s Brijmohan leading to morning symptoms like after fumigation get deposited on
Sharma (Head, Quality Assurance sore throat and breathlessness. Dust the surface and over long periods,
and Regulatory Affairs), during extractors or ionizers can help at corrosion sets in. Aerosols are
a conversation, shared insights on night, while daytime contamination useful in areas where particle
air quality in pharma factories and increases when doors and windows contamination is very high, the
corporate offices. “The air quality are left open. AC systems spraying makes them heavy and
inside depends on air quality settle down. Construction sites,
outside. The key is to plant more recirculate this air.” especially in closed areas, where
trees to control dust. While some Corporate offices and high- aerosols are most effective and
dust is generated indoors, most footfall areas use aerosols to can be made mandatory. Risk-
comes from outside. Controlling the maintain air freshness, but Sharma based analysis states particle
external environment will impact believes they work better in dry contamination is more harmful to
IAQ,” he explained. places like Gurugram than humid humans than from high humidity,”
Established in 1994, Rusan cities like Mumbai. “Humidity in he explained.
Pharma has its corporate office in
Mumbai, with facilities in Kandla
(Gujarat), Ankleshwar (Gujarat),
Dehradun (Uttarakhand), and
Pithampur (Madhya Pradesh).
Temperature and dust control
are critical and influence the
selection of sites. “In the pharma
manufacturing segment, sites are
chosen based on air quality and
environmental control. “Kandla
SEZ, for instance, has no polluting
units, ensuring better air quality,”
said Sharma, who has been with
Rusan for 25 years.
Specializing in narcotics,
psychotropic drugs, tuberculosis,
de-addiction and pain management,
Rusan prioritises IAQ. “Inside,
controlled air circulation
systems like HVAC manage
temperature and humidity. In
production areas, 10-20% fresh
air is introduced every cycle. Dust
extractors minimize dust, while
in non-production zones, cool air
circulation ensures IAQ,” he added.
“Central air-conditioning in our
Mumbai office follows the same
principle. Maintenance is key,
with AC units cleaned monthly to
prevent cross-contamination.”
18 FEBRUARY 2025•Clean India Journal•www.cleanindiajournal.com