Flooring can reduce airborne contamination

New research commissioned by polymeric flooring manufacturer Dycem suggests that using its flooring can be effective in controlling airborne contamination in cleanrooms. Tests were carried out by specialist contamination analyst M-con Technologies, of California, with the aim of establishing whether airborne particulates and microbes of various sizes rose to critical operational height with standard movements of a person in cleanroom apparel. The tests also wanted to discover whether the use of polymeric flooring in the critical environment would significantly lower particulate and microbe counts, thus controlling any likely airborne contamination.

Standard tests were carried out in a body box that met Class 10 conditions with and without Dycem flooring. An operative entered the body box wearing specialist clothing and performed a series of activities designed to create vortices similar to those created in everyday cleanroom environments, which result in a spiral effect, lifting contamination above critical operating heights.

M-con measured two different particle sizes: <0.5µm and <5µm. The results showed that where Dycem flooring was in place, the airborne count of particles <0.5µm at or above critical operating height (1.067m) was reduced by 31%. Dycem was also found to reduce microbe particulates rising above 1.067m by 60%, and reduce the airborne count of particles <5µm at this height by 60%.

Assuming that 10 operatives enter and exit the critical area on average 5 times per shift during a normal working day, Dycem calculates that its flooring would prevent 25 million <5µm particles from contaminating the critical environment.