Ash-like and char-like soot in compressed air
Hello forum members,
We perform our compressed air tetsing twice a year, and in the last testing we found significant amount of ash-like and char-like soot.
The lab the we used indicates the established normal range as 0-60/cubic meter of air .Our result is approx. 200/cubic meter per each.
We use compressed air for blowing packaging containers before filling with the product, to remove possible foreign objects.
The question is what amount is harmful to ingest?
We replaced all the filters and cleaned all the compressed air system. I would like to know if it is safe to keep using the compressed air meanwhile we are waiting for the retesting?
Thank you!
If you have zero idea what the substance is...........do not use it
no one will be able to tell you a 'safe' limit unless you know exactly what the material is
If you have zero idea what the substance is...........do not use it
no one will be able to tell you a 'safe' limit unless you know exactly what the material is
Hi Scampi,
Thank you for your response but I didn't understand what do you mean.
The external lab performed quality testing analysis for the compressed air and the ash-like and char-like soot were without the limits.
SQF requires air quality testing, we have done e-coli and coliforms and the results are good. Can I stop testing for particles in the air and use only the micro analysis?
Would it be enough for SQF?
Thank you!
I think i'm missing something
Did the lab test for # of particles/sample unit? And that was acceptable?
If that's the case then you still do not know what the soot/ash actually is.............and therefore shouldn't be using it
Just because it was clear for ecoli and TC doesn't automatically equate it being safe for use (regardless of what the lab says)
You really cannot make an informed decision until you find out EXACTLY what the soot/ash is..............it should have never entered a compressed gas cylinder?!?!?!? Right? Micro isn't the only thing that can make people sick
If you were the auditor, would you be happy to grant certification when the operator knew they had material in the compressed air, but didn't find out what it actually was?
Or I am still missing something, in which case my apologies
Our neighbour building was on fire in February this year,
We performed air testing right after the fire and all the results were ok.
We think that the soot settled down and this is why we see it in the compressed air.
How can I find out what exactly is the source of ash-like soot? Are you aware of any lab that perform this testing in Canada?
Thank you!
Any large lab should be able to help you
Now that you've said fire next door, you really should not be using it, it could be full of carcinogenic materials that are generated during a fire.
http://maxxam.ca/ind...-manufacturers/
Just google it and you will get all the good labs that are in your area
I'm in Ontario so lots to chose from
Thank you!
Hi, Altermann.
Depending on the product or the use of compressed air, you may refer to ISO 8357-1 for compressed air specification. It includes there what could be the particulate limits but again, the criticality will be depending on the type of food and where in the process you apply it.
The problem with compressed air is that if the intake is with heavy contaminant is that, it tends to "concentrate" what ever the contaminant in the air. In the case for what you have, like Scampi said would be somehow with risk to PAHs.
I suggest while you are waiting for the results, check for the filters of intake air, check for the particulate filters and you may want to purge your compressed air line (and if you have filter in the point of use or filter from where you take your sample) as the differential filter may be too high already to prevent further prevention.