Sources of Cleanroom Contamination

Where do particles come from?

Cleanrooms have many variable factors that could pose a potential source of contamination.

Sources of cleanroom contamination can include, but are not limited to:

People: skin, hair, makeup, nail polish, perfume

Equipment: vibrations, brooms, emissions

Products: debris, flakes, chips

Facility: walls, paint, room air, leaks

Fluids: bacteria, chemicals

Processes: cleaning, maintenance

BASIC DO'S & DON'TS FOR CLEANROOM PERSONNEL:

DO: ONLY ALLOW AUTHORIZED MEMBERS INTO THE CLEANROOM

By restricting access and only allowing fully-trained personnel into the cleanroom, you reduce the risk of mistakes that could cause contamination or safety risks.

DON’T: GET ALL DOLLED UP BEFORE ENTERING THE CLEANROOM

Don't waste your time looking pretty for the cleanroom because, believe it or not, unwanted particles can get into the air & on cleanroom surfaces just from everyday beauty products such as hair spray, makeup, nail polish, & perfumes. Although these particles are too small for the naked eye to register as a threat, these particles can be large enough to cause issues for procedures or products.

DO: WEAR APPROPRIATE GARMENTS FOR YOUR CLEANROOM

Each cleanroom may require different garments for both protection & reducing contamination. Garments such as gloves, coveralls, face masks, boot covers and bouffant caps may be required.

To check to see what garments you or your team should be wearing in your cleanroom, check out Angstrom's Cleanroom Suits and Garments Selection Guide to see an easy breakdown of which garments are needed for each cleanroom class.

DON’T: BUST A DANCE MOVE OR PARTY IN THE CLEANROOM

No, SERIOUSLY. With sudden body movements, the air circulates & can often stir up particles or release particles from the body. This would include excess conversation within the cleanroom & congregating. Reducing these actions keeps air flow unchanged & can keep you from increasing level of particulate matter.

DO: FOLLOW A GOWNING PROCEDURE

The gowning process that cleanroom personnel repeat daily is the most common time for contamination to occur. Pairing with the correct cleanroom garments, it is imperative the action of gowning reduces the risk of particles from clothing, the dirty side of the gowning room, and the person from entering the cleanroom.

Angstrom has put together an easy-to-download gowning procedure poster that will help educate and alleviate some of the risk often found in the gowning room.

DON’T: BRING YOUR CELLPHONE INTO THE CLEANROOM

Did you know that your phone can have as many as 25,000 germs per square inch? Gross, right? Well, believe it or not, phones are one of the most common items people sneak into cleanrooms.

Bringing unclean items or products into the cleanroom leaves the cleanroom susceptible to contamination. There is a reason why cleanroom supplies are often sealed, double bagged & often made specifically for cleanrooms… or even why your supervisor doesn't allow phones.

STAINLESS STEEL MATERIALS

Type 304 Stainless Steel

Corrosion Protection: Excellent

Cleanability: Average

Tear Resistance: Limited

Shelf Capacity: 800 lbs (363 kg)

Relative Price: $$$

Stainless Steel wire shelving is stronger and more robust than all Metro wire shelving products. It resists corrosion in dry, wet, cold, and humid environments. It cleans easily and is impervious to solvents and other cleaners. Stainless steel is favored in cleanrooms, static controlled areas, food service, and manufacturing floors.

Type 304 all-stainless construction is designed for aggressive applications and cleaning methods.

POLYMER MATERIALS

This is not your average plastic shelving. Metro’s polymer shelving systems incorporate robust steel corners, reinforced center supports, and advanced polymer materials to deliver stationary and mobile solutions with the strength of traditional wire shelving. Removable polymer shelf mats protect supplies from damage and wash easily by hand or in dish machines. Microban® antimicrobial product protection is built into the shelf mats and finishes to keep the shelving “cleaner between cleanings”.

Polymers benefit clean environments with the economic advantage of a long life cycle.

MetroMax i

 

 

 

 

Corrosion Protection: Excellent

Cleanability: Excellent

Tear Resistance: Excellent

Shelf Capacity: 800 lbs (363 kg)

Relative Price: $$$$

MetroMax i has a unique polymer blend which is both lightweight and durable. The surface is easy to clean and promotes sanitation and disinfection.

Applications of particle counters

 

Angstrom’s selection of particle counters offers an economic solution for professionals who validate ISO cleanrooms 5 or 6 (Class 100 or 1000) and investigate air quality matters.

 

Common applications within the cleanroom:

 

• Classifying ISO cleanrooms
• Identify contamination
• Quality assurance
• Indoor air quality assessment
• Verifying equipment performance
• Testing for filter leaks and efficiency
• Testing for valve leaks and efficiency
• Ensures environment or equipment meets compliance requirements set by industry standards

Calibration of a particle counter

 

With most scientific instruments, calibration is recommended once per year to insure normal operation and repeatable performance within the stated accuracy for the instrument. Individual companies may have internal quality plans that require more frequent calibration intervals.

 

For your convenience, Airy Technology offers calibration for their devices.

Visit Airy Technology's Calibration/Damage Request Form to fill out the form for their calibration or repair services.

*Calibration is free but diagnostic/repair services will incur a fee & shipping is not included.

Why did we choose to offer Airy Technology?

 

Unique Features:

• Economical price point for great quality
• A color display that provides full count values with cumulative and differential counts simultaneously

 

Compliances:

• Complies with the ISO 21501-4 for calibration of a particle counter
• Meets requirements for meeting ISO 14644-2015 for life science, medical and pharmaceuticals applications

Comparing Airy Technology's Particle Counters

 

We offer some of the highest quality hand-held particle counters in the industry by Airy Technology.

Model P311

Measures 0.3 µm to 5.0 µm

0.1 CFM (2.83 LPM) flow rate

Measures 3 channels of simultaneous data

Stores up to 8,000 sample records

Stores up to 199 sample locations

Model P611

Measures 0.3 µm to 10.0 µm

0.1 CFM (2.83 LPM) flow rate

Measures 6 channels of simultaneous data

Stores up to 10,000 sample records

Stores up to 999 sample locations

Resources

 

Airy Technology - http://airytechnology.com

TSI - https://www.tsi.com/

Cleanroom Technology - https://www.cleanroomtechnology.com

Single Layer Polypropylene

Polypropylene, also known as PolyPro, is the basis for almost all disposable garments. Single layer Polypropylene makes up the most cost-effective garments used in higher ISO cleanrooms, as well as the majority of bouffant caps and beard covers. Single layer construction is available in a variety of basis weights and material thicknesses and makes up garments ideal for higher particle count environments.

Shop PolyPro Cleanroom Products >

SMS - Three Layer PolyPro

Three Layer Polypropylene is abbreviated SMS, representing how each of the three layers is constructed: Spunbound, Meltblown, Spunbound. Two layers of Spunbound Polypropylene surround a single layer of Meltblown PolyPro, adding significant durability and liquid resistance over single-layer designs. SMS is the perfect garment material for mid-ISO environments where protection and durability are imperative.

Shop SMS Cleanroom Products >

Microporous - PE Laminated

In Low-ISO Cleanrooms, particles are the top priority. Microporous is designed with that fact in mind. A thick layer of Laminated Microporous Polyethylene protects a lower layer of Polypropylene fabric. This method creates an extremely clean, highly resistant material that thrives in even the most critical environments. When cleanliness and safety are of paramount importance, Microporous is the clear answer.

Shop Microporous Cleanroom Products >

Of course, these are only a few of the many materials and options available for cleanroom garments. Check out our complete catalog of cleanroom garments or talk to one of our cleanroom experts to find exactly what your cleanroom needs. Once you've found what you're looking for, be sure to review our Cleanroom Garmenting Procedure Guide to stay up-to-date on the best garmenting procedures for each cleanroom class.

Moving into the 21st century, Texwipe was acquired by Illinois Tool Works, Inc. which sparked the once small company's rapid growth and expansion. Looking at ITW Texwipe today, what you'll find is a vast array of products and solutions catered to your specific cleanroom and contamination control concerns. Any industry where contamination is a chief concern will undoubtedly find Texwipe products to be an invaluable asset for their company. Of course, if you're looking to purchase cleanroom supplies, especially wipers, the array of choices is almost overwhelming in scope, so what exactly is it that makes Texwipe's products stand out above the rest? The answer lies not only in their superior product quality, but also in their expansive catalogue of unique, specialized products each designed for specific situations in your cleanroom environments. While each of their product categories boast high levels of specialization, cleanroom wipers are a particularly impressive example.

The first discerning factor for the wipes is the material they're made of, whether it be more traditional, common materials like polyester and poly-cellulose, or one of the more unique, specialized materials made for certain unique applications. While that allows for a solid level of distinction between each of Texwipe's wipers, the differences go much deeper than that, to the point where each polyester wiper is an entirely different product from one another. Whether you need a soft, gentle cloth to wipe down electronic components and screens, a tough, highly-absorbent one for scrubbing abrasive surfaces, or anything in between, Texwipe has the perfect option for your cleanroom.

The final aspect of Texwipe's business model that places them ahead of the competition is their quality control policy. With state-of-the-art laboratories onsite, and a revolutionary visual inspection system in place, Texwipe's products are impeccably clean. Not only is there an entire series of inspections, measurements, and test methodologies in place, but every bag of Texwipe wipers is traceable all the way back to the machine where the yarn that make them up was produced.

With such an expansive selection of specialized, high-quality products, it's no wonder that ITW Texwipe has maintained their position at the top of the cleanroom wiper industry. No matter what contamination situation you find yourself in, you can always count on Texwipe to supply the exact solution you're looking for.

To purchase Texwipe products, check out our selection of Texwipe cleanroom wipers at http://www.angstromcleanroomsupply.com.

For more information on ITW Texwipe, you can find their website at http://www.texwipe.com.

2 Bucket System

1. Clean Solution Bucket – Add/Mix your cleaning solution to the first bucket and saturate your mop in the solution.
2. Waste Bucket – Wring excess cleaning solution from your mop into the second bucket – the waste bucket.
3. Mop – Apply the solution to the surface, using your preferred method of mopping, or you can find our mopping technique guide HERE.
4. Waste Bucket – Wring the waste water into the waste bucket for the second time. Repeat this process until your surfaces are sparkling!

3 Bucket System

1. Clean Solution Bucket – Add/Mix your cleaning solution to the first, clean bucket. Saturate your mop in the solution.
2. Waste Bucket – Wring excess cleaning solution from your mop into the second bucket – the waste bucket.
3. Mop – Apply the solution to the surface, using your preferred method of mopping, or you can find our mopping technique guide HERE.
4. Waste Bucket – Wring the waste water into the waste bucket for the second time.
5. Rinse Bucket – Rinse your mop in the third bucket, filled with rinsing solution.
6. Waste Bucket – Wring excess rinsing solution into waste bucket, then repeat the process until your surfaces are sparkling!

Step 1: Sort

Identify and eliminate any unneeded or misplaced objects from the cleanroom. Outside items cluttering your workspace can quickly build up and become a hazard, as well as hinder productivity; removing them immediately is the best way of avoiding distraction and slow-down.

Step 2: Set in order

Everything has a place. Make sure every piece of equipment has one static location it belongs in the cleanroom, and that they always find their way back. We recommend taking a look at our selection of acrylic organization solutions. Misplaced tools are an epidemic, and we can work together to stop it.

Step 3: Shine

This is where the real cleaning comes in. Every surface and every instrument in the environment should be cleaned, inspected, and disinfected. Fortunately, proper cleaning techniques are our specialty. For a more in-depth look at how to effectively clean your controlled environment, check out our deep cleaning guides.

Step 4: Standardize

Make the rules and enforce them. The 5S system is only as effective as the people using it, so keep everyone up-to-date on where everything belongs in your cleanroom.

Step 5: Sustain

Repeat the above steps every day. The best way to make sure the 5S system is being used to its full potential is to establish a routine and adhere to it daily. Repeating each step after every day of operation ensures that your workplace remains clean, efficient, and safe.

Of course, this is only a brief overview of the 5S System and how it benefits you and your cleanroom. For more information, call and speak with one of our cleanroom experts or check out our Education and Buying Guides.

Contact us 1-877-721-4788 or [email protected] to learn more.