Meaningful & Measurable Risk Assessment Tools for Environmental Monitoring Site Selection Program

Abstract

The role of Environmental Monitoring has evolved alongside the manufacturing processes and filling technologies its aims to monitor, and so should the risk assessment tools we implement for establishing this important program. Sample site selection, appropriateness of sampling methods, sampling volumes and sampling frequencies are all important components of contamination control for a facility and must be evaluated as appropriate using a robust risk assessment. The types of environmental monitoring required for a robust program will vary based on the type of operation, frequency in which that operation is performed, and the level of risk associated to the process. Learn how to develop a meaningful risk assessment and include measurable risk rankings for 6 applicable categories in biopharmaceutical manufacturing. The process for scoring each of the 6 categories, systematic evaluation of contamination probability and example outcomes will be shared for theoretical EM sites mapped throughout an ISO 5 and 7 cleanroom area, thus ensuring adequate criteria and fair assessment are applied in each case. The methodology for this risk assessment tool will be demonstrated as suitable for environmental monitoring programs during initial site qualification, when evaluating EMPQ results, or when periodically updating the requirements for monitoring during routine operations.