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Maintaining a cleanroom environment has unique challenges because it is constantly exposed to a number of pollutants. To stabilize your company’s particle count, it’s important to identify your main sources of pollution. Although these sources may vary from one organization to another, the most common contaminants tend to be similar in most industries.
Here, we discuss four of the most widespread culprits of contamination in cleanroom environments, along with strategies to combat each source:
Cleanroom Operators: Although they are perhaps the most trained to reduce contamination, operators are actually the main source of contamination in the cleanroom environment. Employees can compromise your particle count by neglecting to wear the disposable clothing required to maintain your cleanroom environment. Consider how an operator who has just left the building for their lunch break could contaminate the environment by neglecting to wear proper shoe covers, masks or other protective clothing. Frequent reinforcement of procedures, along with the availability of necessary disposable resources, can help prevent contamination by operators.
HVAC system: Inadequate air volume or velocity can affect your environment, exposing it to an increasing number of particles. Even if your cleanroom is stable, it’s possible that HVAC systems operating below capacity can draw particles from nearby non-cleanroom environments and contaminate your critical areas. To prevent HVAC-related contamination, make sure you follow the prescribed maintenance schedule for your HEPA filters. A general rule of thumb to follow is to replace your pre-filters at least twice a year.
Supplies: Wipes, gloves and cleanroom esd swabs can help or hurt you in contaminant control. If you don’t use the right shoe covers, for example, you can actually increase ESD risks rather than limiting them. The same goes for the gloves and wipes you choose. Make sure the supplies you choose are intended for use at your cleanroom level. For example, wipes made from polyester/cellulose blends are ideal for cleaning spills in controlled environments, and are available for many different classes of environments. There are contaminant-reducing gloves specifically designed for cleanrooms. Using cleanroom paper, pens and notepads, which are also intended for cleanroom use, are helpful in reducing particle generation.
Cleaning Procedures: Maintaining a regular cleaning schedule is essential in a cleanroom, and if procedures and schedules are not strictly adhered to, your risk of contamination increases significantly. In addition to determining the number of airborne particles, work surfaces and critical areas should be regularly inspected. Also, while general cleanings are performed more frequently, you should also follow a deep cleaning schedule to keep particle and bacteria counts down.
From cleanroom pens to wipes and apparel, Harmony Lab & Safety has everything you need to help control contamination in your company’s cleanroom. Check out our wide selection of CleanTack adhesive mats.
