From the Editor: Sound and safe science

02/01/2005

Most of the time when we talk about contamination control and cleanrooms, we largely focus on issues of product protection, product yield, and bottom line production costs. And indeed, these concerns are some of the primary drivers behind the science. But it’s nevertheless unfortunate that we don’t as frequently acknowledge how important contamination control technology and training also is to the safety of manufacturing personnel and to the public at large.

The front-page story in this month’s issue of CleanRooms hammers home just how critical this role can be. In this particular case, the contamination-controlled facility in question is a Biosafety Level 2 (BSL-2) laboratory, but it could just as easily be one of any number of other similar, or more stringently constructed and managed, contamination-controlled environments for the life science and other industries designed to protect workers and the general population/environment from potentially harmful or lethal compounds, atoms, organisms, or radiation.

Containment, isolation and ultimately safety have always been critically important aspects of contamination control-further complicating an already highly complex and challenging science. In fact, these solutions have in some cases provided the only possible methodology for the safe and reliable production of certain invaluable products. But, as ever more dramatic breakthroughs in biotechnology and nanoscale science are achieved, contamination control professionals working at both manufacturing industries and supplier companies will need to develop novel and increasingly sophisticated solutions for a host of unique product, process, and safety requirements.

For example, a joint meeting last October of the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) and the U.K.’s Health and Safety Executive (HSE) highlighted the importance of further research in risk assessment
isk management and the institution of proper controls by makers and users of nanomaterials, particularly with regard to the inhalation of nanoparticles. NIOSH reports that studies have established that the comparatively large surface area of inhaled nanoparticles can increase their toxicity, and that such small particles can penetrate deep into the lungs and potentially move to other parts of the body as well, including the liver and brain.

Similarly, with the increasing potential for bioterrorism, there has also come an increased number and range of researchers working with highly contagious and deadly organisms. To prevent potentially disastrous accidents, this work must not only be conducted in properly designed and fully controlled facilities, but be accompanied by increased education and training in contamination control science and procedures.

It should be clear that advanced contamination control science and technology is synonymous with safety and that it has never been in such pervasive or critical demand. The biggest challenge may be in educating or re-awakening industry, academia, and in some cases government regulatory agencies, to this reality.

-J.S.H.