Page 19 - CIJ Feb 2025 - Digital Edition

COVER STORY

The air quality inside depends on
air quality outside. While some dust
is generated indoors, most comes
from outside. Controlling

the external environment will
impact IAQ.”

– Brijmohan Sharma

Re-development and hygiene, masks can do more harm
infrastructure investments have than good,” he cautioned.
made IAQ a priority. Employees Sharing a case study,
and citizens struggle with dust and Head Housekeeping-Cadila
pollution. “Standalone systems Pharmaceuticals Vishwas
are ineffective in offices. Central Bhatnagar, recollects a 2008
dust extraction systems using incident where a pharmaceutical
ionization are better, as they settle company had to recall sterile
particles, making them harmless. injectable heparin due to
When standalone systems are contamination. “The root cause was
used, opening a door allows inadequate air filtration, allowing
high-concentration dust to rush in, microbial contamination into
worsening the problem,” he stated. production. The company faced
Indoor plants aid IAQ but require regulatory scrutiny and halted
maintenance. “Plants need fresh air; production until upgrades were
they generate carbon dioxide. They made,” he said.
should be moved outdoors twice Discussing IAQ concerns in
a week for better results. Keeping pharma, Bhatnagar highlighted
ACs on 24/7 is not cost-effective contamination control, microbial
and leads to stale air circulation. and particle contamination,
In homes, vacuuming and wet temperature and humidity
mopping are more effective than management, worker safety, and
sweeping,” he suggested. regulatory compliance. “Preventing
Masks are making a comeback, airborne dust, controlling bacteria
but Sharma warns against poor and viruses, ensuring stable
hygiene. “We often reuse masks conditions for product integrity, and
without cleaning them. Their maintaining worker safety are key
porous surface allows bacteria to IAQ aspects. Regular sampling,
multiply, making them a potential continuous monitoring, filtration
source of infection. Without proper checks, airflow management,
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