Depending on the industry and specific environment, different rooms will have different cleanroom classification requirements. There is a litany of information out there regarding how classifications are tested and determined, but not as much about how to improve a specific room’s classification ranking. The key is that there is not one, catch-all solution to improve a cleanroom’s rank. The most effective way to…

The annual Lab Design Conference — hosted by Laboratory Design, a sister publication of Controlled Environments — features educational sessions on topics of importance to those involved in planning, designing, engineering, constructing and operating laboratory facilities. Experts from the lab design/build community are encouraged to share their knowledge and advice with their peers by delivering hour-long presentations on…

In a cleanroom environment, the right mask is essential for preventing contamination from skin flakes, oils, perspiration and hair. Selecting the right cleanroom face mask is a crucial first step. After you’ve made your selection, follow these five steps to get a proper fit: 1) Make sure the pleats or pouches point down, to avoid picking up contaminants or…

Parker Solar Probe now holds the record for closest approach to the Sun by a human-made object. The spacecraft passed the current record of 26.55 million miles from the Sun’s surface on Oct. 29 at about 1:04 p.m. EDT, as calculated by the Parker Solar Probe team. The previous record for closest solar approach was…

Head shapes, sizes and hairstyles can make aseptic gowning a challenge in the cleanroom. Working with cleanroom operators, Kimberly-Clark Professional has created a common-sense solution to address these fit concerns: the Kimtech A5 Sterile Integrated Hood and Mask XL. An innovative design makes it easier to accommodate today’s modern and diverse hairstyles comfortably and consistently.…

The lawyer for one of the six people on trial for their role in a deadly meningitis outbreak in 2012 says his client was on vacation during the time she was alleged to have been working in the compounding pharmacy. Sharon Carter, a defendant in the New England Compounding Center trial, is being represented by…

The medical director of a Nashville clinic told a courtroom that officials from the New England Compounding Center never responded to his question about testing spinal steroids. Dr. John Culclasure of the St. Thomas Outpatient Neurosurgical Center testified on Oct. 17 that he questioned the NECC after one of his patients had been diagnosed with…

Cost: $4.55 million Size: 13,000 sf Project team: Emily Rabinsky, professor of biology, biotechnology program coordinator; James Knapp, professor of biology; Dan Campbell, HCC director of Facilities & Engineering; Lia Sin Hew, associate, Dimella Shaffer (architect) Cleanroom operations are expected to be incorporated into HCC’s credit-bearing biotechnology classes. Later this fall, HCC will also begin…

The November/December 2018 issue of Controlled Environments will feature a showcase of cleanroom apparel and attire. This may include masks, shoe covers and shoes, bouffants, eyewear, gloves, cleanroom suits, cleanroom laundering and recycling services, and more. We would like to invite you to submit information about one of your company’s related products or services for…

Each year the Lab Design Conference agenda hosts educational sessions on topics of importance to those involved in planning, designing, engineering, constructing and operating laboratory facilities. The Lab Design Conference is run by Laboratory Design, a sister publication of Controlled Environments.  Experts from the lab design/build community are invited to share their knowledge and advice…

When John Campanella’s friend wanted his beloved Ferrari painted, he knew exactly who to call. After all, Campanella had been painting, pinstriping, and even airbrushing flames on to cars, motorcycles, airplanes, 18-wheelers, and guitars in his spare time for decades. But that’s not why the Ferrari driver came to Campanella. He turned to him because…

For the first time, the two halves of NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope — the spacecraft and the telescope — were connected together using temporary ground wiring that enabled them to “speak” to each other like they will in flight. Although it was a significant step forward for the program, this test was an optional…

NASA’s continued quest to explore our solar system and beyond received a boost of new information this week with three key missions proving not only that they are up and running, but that their science potential is exceptional. On Sept. 17, 2018, TESS — the Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite — shared its first science observations.…

When someone sneezes, particles exiting the nasal passages have been clocked at more than 100 miles per hour. That’s just one of the reasons why selecting the right cleanroom face mask is so critical. Here are three simple steps to help you choose: 1) Identify the work environment. Do you need a mask for a pharmaceutical or biotech environment?…

Problem: Cleanrooms are often very mechanically complicated spaces; they have air handling units (AHUs), process controls, and support piping winding through ceilings. This creates a challenge when controls need to be serviced and systems need to be modified. The old method of management utilized cleanroom access doors, which were both costly to purchase and install; they also created another potential leakage point. Finding space to locate that door could be difficult and…

Those working in controlled environments such as laboratories and cleanrooms may encounter a variety of hazards, including exposure to potentially harmful pathogens. This exposure can occur in a variety of ways, including inhalation of pathogens, ingestion, or by touching a contaminated surface. In fact, touching a contaminated surface is typically the most common way pathogens are spread. Some can enter the body…