Air and surface particulate levels from cleanroom mats

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

The website for the EJPPS journal can be found here.

Posted by Tim Sandle