Pharmaceutical and Medical Gases

Pharmaceutical gases and medical gases are specialized for medical, drug processing, or biotechnology applications. Pharmaceutical or biotechnology applications may include fermentation, lyophilization; extraction; sterilization, inert gas shielding (oxidation protection), cryogenic milling, thermal regulation and hydrogenation or other reactions.

Pharmaceutical gases and medical gases include pure gases and gas mixtures for all kinds of processes. Some pharmaceutical gases are used in the actual production of the pharmaceutical, such as hydrogen, ammonia, or boron hydride, which are all used in chemical synthesis; or they may be used in the packaging of the product, such as nitrous oxide, which is used as a gas propellant for aerosols. Pharmaceutical and medical gases also include nitrogen, an inert gas which is frequently used for providing an inert, nonflammable environment for production; for lyophilization or freeze-drying; and storage at low temperatures. Another type of pharmaceutical gas is carbon dioxide, also used for inerting, chemical synthesis, or used to transport products at a specific temperature.

Pharmaceutical gases and medical gases are also used in medical procedures, such as medical gas for anesthesia during surgery, for use in test equipment that requires calibration gases, or specialty medical grade gas such as nitrous oxide used for oral surgery. Pharmaceutical and medical gases also include gases for research applications, such as incubation of anaerobic and aerobic organisms. Biomedical gas can be used with laboratory equipment or surgical instruments, such as the use of helium in arterial balloons, or carbon dioxide for surgical lasers, or gas mixtures for use in cryosurgical applications. Medical grade gases are purified for human use, and include nitrous oxide for use in dentistry. Industrial grade pharmaceutical and medical gases are those specified for medical use in instrumentation, but not for human consumption.

• Minimize Dust Explosion Hazards
  On January 29, 2003, a massive explosion rocked the West Pharmaceutical facility in Kinston, N.C. The blast killed six plant workers, injured dozens more, cost the economically depressed town more...
  (read more)
• Minimize Dust Explosion Hazards
  On January 29, 2003, a massive explosion rocked the West Pharmaceutical facility in Kinston, N.C. The blast killed six plant workers, injured dozens more, cost the economically depressed town more...
  (read more)

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