Dewitt, NY—Compressed air is used for everything from inflating automobile tires and powering engines to firing paintball guns, manufacturing drugs and cleaning teeth.
Because of compressed air’s many applications, various government regulations, primarily from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA), may govern its production, analytical requirements and usage.
In the Summer 2009 issue of Welding & Gases Today, the journal of the Gases and Welding Distributors Association (GAWDA), gases expert Thomas L. Badstubner walks readers through various forms of compressed air and the regulations governing them. Badstubner’s examination covers:
• Industrial/Instrument Air—often used for purging instruments or powering pneumatic actuators. This includes Dry Air, which is frequently used for drying out piping/samples; and Hydrocarbon Free Air, which is commonly used to support flame ionization detectors in analytical labs.
• Medical Air—also called Air, USP, which is a drug and is prescribed by a physician or used in drug manufacturing operations. The analytical specifications are defined by the U.S. Pharmacopoeia (USP). USP is a public standards-setting authority for all prescription and over-the-counter medicines and other health care products manufactured or sold in the U.S.
• OSHA Breathing Air—often used for compressed breathing air.
It is critical to know the intended use of compressed air and that its production is FDA and OSHA compliant. Read the full story at Welding & Gases Today Online.
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About GAWDA
Founded in 1945, the Gases and Welding Distributors Association is the premier source for manufacturing knowledge, education and networking. Through its member journals (www.welding andgasestoday.org), e-magazines, newsletters and industry wiki (www.gawdawiki.org), GAWDA connects suppliers of gases and manufacturers of related equipment as well as manufacturers of welding equipment and distribution leaders, for the purpose of safely delivering optimal solutions to the users of those products. GAWDA publications are the industry’s voice for all matters related to the latest technology and the most up-to-date processes spanning welding equipment and products and services related to industrial, medical, specialty and cryogenic gases. A 501(c)3 organization, GAWDA members are located throughout North America.
