Is The ApexZ The Right Airborne Particle Counter For You?
An airborne particle counter only needs to know two things to begin sampling: where it is and how long to sample. From there, it should be built around ease of use and reliability. You should be able to trust that your airborne particle counter is working for you and not the other way around. You deserve to know that your equipment does not need you constantly checking in on it for it to do its job. That's where the ApexZ comes in. Built from over 40 years of...
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Case Study: Compatibility Of Lighthouse Particle Counters With Vaporized Hydrogen Peroxide
Executive Summary The purpose of this case study was to evaluate the durability of Lighthouse Worldwide Solutions’ ApexZ3 and ApexR5p in a cleanroom where live microorganisms are processed and then decontaminated with Vaporized Hydrogen Peroxide (VHP). When exposed to VHP, the equipment needed to be able to deliver accurate readings while maintaining its integrity. VHP cycles started on April 6 and ended on June 17. The equipment was checked on April 5 upon...
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Viable Sampling Vs. Nonviable Sampling
Does it matter what kind of particle exists in your cleanroom? Yes, it does! Two types of contamination include viable and nonviable particles. Depending on which is present in your cleanroom, you will be able to determine where your cleanroom contamination control strategy is suffering and how to build a cleaner cleanroom. To determine the difference and present in your cleanroom, you need to employ viable and nonviable sampling. What Is Viable Sampling? A viable sample...
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Your Complete Guide To Face Masks
In many industries, face masks have played a significant role for many years! Surgeons wear them in surgeries. Scientists wear them in cleanrooms. Construction workers wear them on the job. And many more! But which face mask is best for which job? Some offer filtration from very small particles (viruses and bacteria), while others only offer protection from large droplets. Depending on your purpose for wearing a mask, one option will work better than others. Each one...
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3 Things To Look For In Your Particle Counter to Mitigate Risk.
Your particle counter is a foundational part of your cleanroom contamination control strategy, as it stands between you and contamination notification. But your particle counter has a wide array of electronics that should be monitored to ensure the reported data is accurate. There are a few things you can look for in your particle counter to ensure your data is accurate and reliable. What Does Your Particle Counter's Laser Do? Your particle counter's laser...
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How to Validate Your Cleanroom? ( Webinar available )
HVAC Performance Qualification Basics
HVAC Performance Qualification Roadmap, Application Guidance, and Tips as per ISO 14644-3:2019; Cleanroom Test Methods and Cleanroom Classification as per ISO 14644-1:2015.
Cleanroom HVAC performance qualification, known as “cleanroom validation,” is the most critical set of tests to ensure that the cleanroom is...
Using Clean Room Technology To Fight COVID-19
It’s no secret that COVID-19 has drastically impacted the world around us. Throughout August 2021, the illness has overrun hospitals. To combat the spread of COVID-19 amongst hospital staff and patients, hospitals have been paying extra attention to their contamination control procedures. Aside from HEPA filters, hospitals have been using a piece of cleanroom technology to contain the illness in the hospital to protect the staff. So what’s the...
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Introducing The Knowledge Center
The Best Way To Learn About Contamination Control! We are very excited to announce our new Knowledge Center: the tool to make you the smartest person in the room! Over the last 40 years, we’ve become known as the clean room monitoring experts of the world. So we’ve decided to put our heads together and publish as much information as possible to equip you with the knowledge you need to make the best possible decisions for your cleanroom and business. What Will...
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What is not allowed in a cleanroom?
Cleanrooms are just that: clean. Therefore, there are strict requirements around what is allowed in a cleanroom and what is not. While exact guidelines might change in different cleanrooms, the following are considered general guidelines and best practices about what should not be allowed in a cleanroom. Street Clothes Your street clothes carry billions of particles on them from your home, your car, the Starbucks you stopped at this morning, the woman who brushed...
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Portable Cleanrooms and You
Looking for an affordable alternative to a permanent cleanroom? Portable cleanrooms (also called modular cleanrooms) are usually constructed with a rigid frame such as steel and have panels made from plastic, vinyl or clear flat materials. They offer many of the benefits of a permanent cleanroom, but with the added versatility of being movable and more affordable. Portable cleanrooms can also be expanded when needed. Portable cleanrooms might not be the perfect permanent...
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How Do You Measure Air Particles?
Air particles are measured by forcing air through a cavity in a particle counter which uses a laser to measure and count the particles. This is done through a process called light scattering. Parts Of A Particle Counter Inside a particle counter, you will find a laser sensor block. This is where the particles are sized and counted using a process called light scattering. The laser sensor block is made up of: ● Sensor housing- Is the...
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What Are Fine Particles?
Fine particles are a form of particulate matter (pm) that have diameters below 2.5 micrometers in size. They can be solids or liquids and are formed both indoors and outdoors through chemical reactions. In human interactions, they can be harmful to health or just a nuisance. What Is The Difference Between Fine & Coarse Particles? The main difference between fine and coarse particles is size. Coarse particles (sometimes referred to as PM10-2.5) have a diameter...
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Data Integrity in Environmental Monitoring
Features to look for in your particle monitor to ensure compliance of your cleanroom
Environmental monitoring lies at the heart of regulatory compliance for cleanrooms used in pharmaceutical, bio-pharmaceutical, and healthcare facilities. Facility managers need to understand what components are needed for a monitoring program, but they must also ensure the data they produce is complete, consistent, and...
What Types Of Paper Are In The Cleanroom?
Cleanrooms are designed for a myriad of purposes, but many cleanrooms are used for research and product development. This means that people use a lot of paper in the cleanroom. But traditional paper is made up of millions of tiny fibers just waiting to contaminate products in your cleanroom, which is the exact opposite of what we want. So how do we avoid paper creating extra particles in a cleanroom? We use cleanroom paper. How Is Cleanroom Paper...
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What Are Handheld Particle Counters?
Handheld particle counters are just what it sounds like: particle counters that you can hold in your hand. They are typically use to spot check a cleanroom or to test air temperature and humidity. Handheld particle counters are a versatile, ergonomic tool that deserves its place in the modern cleanroom, along with indoor air quality applications. . For many companies and industries, they serve a valuable purpose, as they also monitor air temperature and humidity. But the...
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How Do Light Scattering Airborne Particle Counters Work?
Light scattering is a technology that revolutionized the airborne particle counter industry, because it is able to quickly, efficiently, and accurately determine the size and number of particles that pass through an airborne particle counter in real time. Today, it is used in the airborne particle counters that set industry standards, because it is the most accurate and efficient technology on the market. But before we get into exactly what light scattering is, we need...
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Ergonomics And Your Cleanroom
Ever felt that tension in your upper back and neck after sitting at a computer for too long? We’ve all been there - and resented going to sit at another desk for it. That’s where ergonomics comes in. And your cleanroom’s ergonomics matter just as much as any other workplace. What Are Ergonomics? According to Human Scale, ergonomics is “defined as the science of fitting a workplace to the user’s needs, [it] aims to increase efficiency and...
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10 Ways To Improve Your Cleanroom’s Gowning Protocols
What is a foundational piece of your cleanroom contamination control strategy? Your gowning protocol. Humans, by far, produce the most particles in a cleanroom and your gowning protocol can limit that number. While we have a number of ways to improve your gowning protocol across the board, it is important to recognize that different ISO classifications require different gowning protocols and procedures. When reviewing your protocols, make sure to know your...
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Foundations of a Cleanroom Contamination Control Strategy
Your cleanroom contamination control strategy is the frontline between you and contaminated products, which can lead to yield loss, slowed production, and possible reputation damage. So when was the last time you really dove into your cleanroom contamination strategy? We highly recommend reviewing your strategy yearly to make sure you are still meeting industry best standards and your employees are making the most of the strategy. And there are a few foundations you can...
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Which Is Right For You: Handheld Particle Counter vs Remote Particle Counter vs Portable Particle Counter
Are you considering a new particle counter for your cleanroom? There are a number of options that might be right for you. Before reading through the pros and cons of each particle counter, we recommend you create a list of what you are looking for in your particle counter. On this list, we recommend you note the practical things you need in a particle counter - outside of its ability to measure particle count and size (but we’ll get to that). Handheld Particle...
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