What are the quality requirements for clean compressed air for cosmetics
Clean compressed air used in cosmetics production needs to meet strict quality requirements to ensure product safety and process stability. According to standards such as “Compressed Air Part 1: Purification Levels of Pollutants”(GB/T 13277.1-2023) issued by the National Standardization Administration Committee, its core quality indicators can be summarized as follows:
1. Solid particulate matter control
Dust particles in compressed air may contaminate cosmetic raw materials or finished products. Therefore, the concentration of particulate matter needs to be controlled to a very low level through a high-efficiency filter. For example, in the ISO 8573-1 standard, Level 1 cleanliness level requires no more than 1000 particles with a particle size greater than 0.1 microns and no more than 100 particles with a particle size greater than 0.5 microns per cubic meter of air.
2. Oil content control
Oils in compressed air (including liquid oils, oil vapors and suspended oil droplets) may affect the stability of cosmetics and even cause skin irritation. Therefore, oil removal equipment needs to be used to control the oil content within an extremely low range. For example, in the ISO 8573-1 standard, Level 1 cleanliness level requires a total oil content of no more than 0.01 mg/cubic meter.
3. Water content control
Moisture in compressed air may cause cosmetics to deteriorate or the growth of microorganisms. Therefore, the water content needs to be controlled within a reasonable range through drying equipment. For example, in the ISO 8573-1 standard, the Level 3 cleanliness level requires that the pressure dew point be no less than-20℃, that is, the moisture content in the air is extremely low.
4. Microbial control
Microorganisms (such as bacteria and mold) in compressed air may contaminate cosmetics and cause product deterioration. Therefore, it is necessary to control the microbial content within a safe range through sterilization equipment. For example, the ISO 8573-7 standard stipulates that the total number of microorganisms in clean compressed air should be less than 100 per cubic meter, and no specific pathogenic bacteria should be detected.
5. Differences in application scenarios
The requirements for compressed air quality in different cosmetics production processes may vary:
- Direct contact with product links(e.g. filling, packaging): Use the highest level of clean compressed air to avoid pollution.
- Non-direct contact with product links(e.g. pneumatic control): Relatively low levels of clean compressed air can be used.
6. Supplement to corporate standards
In addition to national standards, cosmetics companies also need to formulate stricter internal standards or operating specifications based on their own production characteristics and hygiene requirements to ensure that the quality of compressed air continues to meet production needs.
In short, the quality requirements for clean compressed air for cosmetics production involve multiple key indicators, which need to be strictly controlled through professional equipment and technical means to ensure product safety and process stability.
