Understanding Health Based Exposure Limits (HBELs) in Cleaning Validation

Health-Based Exposure Limits (HBELs) in cleaning validation refer to the maximum allowable amount of residual drug substance or cleaning agent that can be present on a surface after cleaning without posing a risk to patient safety.

These limits are established based on toxicological data and are used to ensure that the residues left behind during the cleaning process do not exceed safe levels.

The determination of HBELs in cleaning validation can be challenging due to several factors:

1. Availability of toxicological data:

The determination of HBELs requires access to comprehensive toxicological data for the drug substance or cleaning agent. However, such data may not always be readily available, especially for newer or less commonly used substances.

2. Variability in patient populations:

Different patient populations may have varying sensitivities to certain drug substances or cleaning agents. Determining HBELs that are applicable across all patient populations can be challenging, as it requires considering factors such as age, underlying health conditions, and genetic variations.

3. Analytical methods:

Accurate measurement of residual drug substances or cleaning agents is crucial for determining compliance with HBELs. However, developing and validating sensitive analytical methods that can reliably detect low levels of residues can be technically demanding.

4. Acceptable daily exposure (ADE) calculations:

HBELs are often derived from ADE calculations, which involve estimating the maximum daily exposure to a drug substance or cleaning agent that is considered safe for patients. However, there may be uncertainties and assumptions involved in these calculations, leading to potential challenges in accurately determining HBELs.

5. Risk assessment considerations:

In addition to toxicological data, other factors such as route of administration, duration of exposure, and potential interactions with other substances need to be considered during the risk assessment process. Incorporating all relevant information into the determination of HBELs can pose challenges due to the complexity and variability of these factors.

Read also: The Essential Equations and Formulas for Cleaning Validation

Resource Person: Ershad Moradi