Static electricity

Static electricity is most lightly taken and very harmful thing in pharmaceutical industry . Many incidents have been reported around the world in pharmaceuticals due to static electricity .

What is static electricity .

To understand Static electricity we need to understand its basics, every matter is made up of Atoms. Atoms have a nucleus surrounded by Protons (positively charged particles) , Electrons (negatively charged particles) and neutrons(neutral particles) Therefore we can conclude that everything is made up of charge .

Static electricity is a result of charge in an atom . Some atoms holds Electrons tightly and protons are free to exchange with another atoms these are called Insulators or non conductors like glass . Some atoms holds protons tightly and electrons are free to move known as Conductors like iron . so, we can conclude that current flows due to electrons. Static electricity is generated when  2 or more objects rub with each other charge does not generates due to friction it rather generates due to increase in surface area when we rub 2 things .

Why is it Harmful in Pharmaceuticals .

Static electricity is harmful in pharmaceuticals because in pharmaceuticals we deal with Volatile and Flammable substances like Iso propyl alcohol , Methylene Di chloride Which tends to burn even at single spark and could create havoc in industry as well as a risk to persons working in area .

During Drying in Fluidised bed dryer static charge will generate due to rubbing of materials and if binding of IPA or MDC is done even a single spark of static charge create the risk of life for persons working .

During compression static charge also creates problems of quality especially in case of Mups compression as static charge inhibits the flow of blend through hopper and there is risk of underweight tablet as well as blend uniformity .

How to eliminate static charge and risk associated .

Static charge could be eliminated in pharmaceuticals by providing earthing to all equipment’s and using non conductor clothing’s(cotton) and gloves (Plastic)

some other measures are also there like increasing the Relative humidity of area but these measures are not much beneficial in pharmaceuticals as increasing the Humidity will degrade the products .