Contamination
control, especially controlling the level of airborne particulates, is of great
importance within cleanrooms. One of the means to reduce particle levels from
footwear is with the use of cleanroom mats. However, many cleanroom mats are
either ineffective in removing particles from shoes, or an elevated level of
particles are generated when the mat is removed. In contrast, the use of
polymeric flooring can lead to a reduction in particle generation.
This
is based on some research undertaken by Tim Sandle and the findings have been
published in a new paper. The abstract reads:
This
paper describes a study undertaken in a biopharmaceutical manufacturing
facility, which examined particle levels from the footwear of personnel
entering a cleanroom and after stepping onto a cleanroom mat. The study
compared six adhesive cleanroom mats and polymeric flooring and considered the
change in the number of particles on footwear (uncovered shoes and shoes
covered with an overshoe) before and after personnel had traversed cleanroom
flooring. From this comparison, the level of reduction was greatest from the
footwear of staff who had walked across the polymeric flooring. The study also
assessed the level of particles produced when the top layer of a cleanroom mat
was removed, and these data are presented for information purposes.
The
reference is:
Sandle,
T. (2012). Examination of air and surface particulate levels from cleanroom
mats and polymeric flooring, European Journal of Parenteral & Pharmaceutical
Sciences 2012; 17(3): 110-119
Posted by Tim Sandle
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