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Delmen Pharmacy and Medical Equipment supplied and installed an Air Science ductless fume hood at Apex Compounding Pharmacy on Eglinton Avenue East in Toronto, Ontario. A ductless (recirculating) fume hood pulls air across the work surface, filters it through activated carbon and HEPA media to capture chemical vapours and hazardous powders, then returns the cleaned air to the room with no external ducting required. 

Compounding pharmacies handle powders, solvents, and active pharmaceutical ingredients that can release airborne particulates and vapours during preparation. Containing those contaminants at the source protects both the pharmacist and the surrounding workspace. As part of that work, Delmen recently supplied and installed an Air Science ductless fume hood at Apex Compounding Pharmacy in midtown Toronto.

What is a ductless fume hood?

A ductless fume hood also called a recirculating or filtered fume hood draws air across the work surface and passes it through activated carbon filters that capture chemical vapours and HEPA filters that capture hazardous powders. The filtered air is then recirculated back into the room. Because the air is cleaned internally, a ductless hood does not require external ductwork or a connection to the building’s exhaust system.

Why do compounding pharmacies use fume hoods?

Weighing powders and handling volatile chemicals can release fine particulates and fumes into the air. A fume hood captures and filters these contaminants at the point where they are generated, helping protect personnel and maintain a cleaner, more controlled compounding environment.

Ducted vs. ductless fume hoods: what’s the difference?

A ducted fume hood exhausts contaminated air outside the building through external ductwork. A ductless fume hood filters the air internally and recirculates it back into the room. Ductless models offer more flexible placement and avoid the cost and construction associated with external exhaust runs, which makes them a practical option for many pharmacy and lab spaces.

Whether a recirculating hood is appropriate for a given task depends on what is being compounded and the specific hood and filter configuration. Compounding standards differ by application for example, non-sterile (USP <795>), sterile (USP <797>), and hazardous drug (USP <800>) preparation each carry distinct equipment requirements. Pharmacies should confirm that any chosen enclosure meets the standards that apply to their specific work.

The installation at Apex Compounding Pharmacy

Delmen supplied and installed the Air Science ductless fume hood at Apex Compounding Pharmacy, located on Eglinton Avenue East in Toronto, Ontario. Delmen provides professional, white-glove installation for pharmacy and lab equipment across the Greater Toronto Area and throughout Ontario, handling delivery, setup, and placement so the equipment is ready for use.

Frequently asked questions

Does a compounding pharmacy need a fume hood?

Compounding pharmacies that weigh powders or handle volatile chemicals typically use a fume hood or containment enclosure to capture airborne particulates and vapours at the source. The specific equipment required depends on the type of compounding performed and the standards that apply to it.

What is a ductless fume hood?

A ductless fume hood filters air through activated carbon and HEPA media and recirculates the cleaned air back into the room, rather than exhausting it outside through ductwork.

Is a ductless fume hood suitable for hazardous drug compounding?

Some recirculating enclosures can meet USP <800> requirements for non-sterile hazardous drug compounding when configured with redundant HEPA filtration, but suitability depends on the drugs being handled and the specific equipment used. Pharmacies should verify any enclosure against their own compounding requirements before relying on it.

Does Delmen install fume hoods in Toronto and the GTA?

Yes. Delmen Pharmacy and Medical Equipment supplies and installs fume hoods and other pharmacy and lab equipment across the Greater Toronto Area and Ontario.