Problem: With the fast advancements in manufacturing technology, more and more companies are turning to cleanrooms for safe handling practices in their R&D activities and production. Cleanrooms play an essential part in safe process manufacturing by allowing the user to control the humidity of a room, level of contaminants, the temperature, and pressure. While companies can control most of the variables in a cleanroom, one major problem they face is not properly disinfecting their cleanroom — which allows the potential for the end product to be compromised. 

The containment level of a cleanroom varies according to the type of industry and safe cleaning regulations set forth. For example, pharmaceutical, life science, and biotechnology facilities require a higher ISO clean level and a more stringent cleaning process because they are typically working with sensitive consumer products.

Companies often use Ultra Violet light to sanitize their cleanrooms. Traditional UV utilizes the UV-C wavelength (254nm) to alter the DNA of any exposed surface microbes. While it may be successful in stopping replication after prolonged exposure (injurious to skin), UV-C is extremely inefficient (lowering production time) — the bulbs contain toxic materials (e.g. mercury), have a short lifespan, and the electrodes degrade with every use.

Solution: Kalyx Scientific’s Far-UV Sterilray products are designed to address the inefficiencies of traditional UV-C. Far-UV Sterilray produces a 99.98 percent kill of pathogens in cleanroom air system in one pass. The 222nm wavelength produces a log 4 kill of even antibiotic-resistant pathogens on surfaces in five seconds or less. Unlike traditional UV-C, Far-UV Sterilray wavelength matches the resonant molecular (peptide and disulfide) bonds frequencies on the outside of all pathogens. Bacteria, virus, and spores literally explode due to higher Far-UV photon energy. Far-UV Sterilray lamps contain no mercury or electrodes, have a very long lamp-life, and produce no ozone. Also, Far-UV Sterilray products will not damage rubber or plastics — or even penetrate skin. 

Kalyx offers many product options to bring Far-UV Sterilray Technology to any cleanroom. Multiple approaches are necessary to reduce the microbial load in your facility. The Autonomous Disinfection Vehicle (ADV) disinfection robot is controlled with an iPad app and disinfects surfaces without the need for human intervention. The ADV offers repeatable, maximum disinfection while saving labor costs. For small objects, a Pathogen Reduction Box (PRB) is offered. The PRB disinfects smaller articles/tools when entering or exiting a cleanroom. To disinfect the air in a cleanroom’s HVAC system, air handling units or ducts in the cleanroom can be equipped with variable-power Germ-Buster-Air lamps. For air and surface disinfection in a critical area, there is the Air Surface Disinfection Unit (ASDU), which is affixed to the ceiling (like a ceiling fan) and continually disinfects all air and surfaces exposed to the lamp. 

For more information about this product, visit www.kalyxsci.com.