Article: The Use Of Protective Screens To Improve Downflow Booth Performance

The data on the pages that follow describes a procedure and results for Occupational Hygiene Monitoring using a surrogate in an Extract Technology Downflow Booth manufactured by Walker Barrier Systems of New Lisbon, WI. A Downflow Booth is used in the pharmaceutical industry to safeguard operators against harmful dusts generated during many manual powder handling operations. Clean air from the ceiling plenum is distributed evenly across the entire work area pushing any breathable dust generated downward and away from the operators breathing zone. This particular booth included a protective screen with glove ports to further protect the operator from exposure to potent compounds being handled inside the downflow booth.

The use of the rigid screen improves operator protection inside the booth to levels below 10 ug/m3 on a consistent basis. In this particular example, levels were found in the 1-2 ug/m3 range. Results may vary due to quantities of product and length of operation.

Rigid screens can move front to back, side to side and up/down within a booth. They can also rotate and tilt. Glove ports are an option. Retrofit packages are available to add a screen to an existing downflow booth.