As we look into the future of the cleanroom industry, which is expected to change at its fastest rate ever, we examine how best practice can be better sustained to meet innovative heights.

It is human personnel that carry the most contamination. After all, it’s claimed that the outer layer of human skin can host up to 1 million microorganisms per square cm and human saliva up to 1 billion per square mL.

Developments in contamination control were introduced through good housekeeping practices —segregate the work area from other manufacturing operations, provide a filtered air supply, and include protective clothing for workers and personal cleaning equipment such as air showers.

All personnel operating in cleanrooms are encouraged to maintain hygiene, receive periodic re-indoctrinations, and wear protective garments. Most garments are made from fibers that produce little or no particle emission itself, and they should be created using a minimum of seams and the absence of pockets.

Using the correct clothing and ensuring the use of disinfection agents and air shower units goes a long way towards maintenance of contamination control for any cleanroom operative.

However, what if future materials of protective garment can be produced that remain uncontaminated throughout cleanroom usage? A potential solution being worked on is called “photo-
dynamic disinfection,” which uses a laser technology to destroy microorganisms, similar to the way that a disinfectant is used.

This cleanroom tip was contributed by Michael Rodd, Chief Sales Officer with M+W Products, which is headquartered in Stuttgart, Germany. www.mwgroup.net