Journal contents list

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Issue 29: January 2017

Innovations

A new approach to particle fall-out or deposition monitoring

Andrew Rimmer

Abstract →

Abstract

This article describes the development of a real-time particle deposition monitoring instrument for use in space satellites. It provides an overview of the challenges of particle contamination in space applications, the instrument concept and the resulting data captured using these techniques. A very similar instrument is also being developed for use in commercial cleanrooms and an overview is provided of its form and functions showing how it offers the prospect of providing a new concept in particle deposition monitoring.

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Main features

Sanitisation with vapour phase hydrogen peroxide - practical cycle development and future improvements

Tim Coles

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Abstract

Vapour phase hydrogen peroxide (VPHP) has been in use as a sanitising agent, particularly for isolators, for over 20 years. During this time the process has gained a reputation for lengthy and complex cycle development, and for some unreliability. These problems stem from two points:

• Lack of understanding how the vapour phase hydrogen peroxide process actually works.
• Lack of consistency in the biological indicators used to challenge the process.

This paper starts by explaining how the vapour phase hydrogen peroxide rapid sporicidal process works and continues with a description of the present methods of cycle development. The paper continues with some suggestions as to how cycle development can be speeded up considerably and introduces enzyme indicators (EIs) as a recent development to add to chemical indicators (CIs) and possibly replace biological indicators (BIs).

The paper offers practical solutions to both the problems mentioned above, based on long experience with the design, construction and validation of vapour phase hydrogen peroxide generators.

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Risk of microbial spores to cleanrooms Part 2: Selection of sporicidal disinfectants

Tim Sandle

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Abstract

This article follows on from a previous article which discusses the risks that microbial spores pose to cleanrooms in terms of their survival mechanisms and, in the case of fungi, ease of dispersal. This article considers the use of sporicidal disinfectants, examining different types and considers the range of factors that affect sporicide efficacy.

Importantly, the selection of sporicidal agents is not straightforward. Several types of sporicidal agent are extremely corrosive to stainless steel, plastic and soft metals as well as being a potential health hazard to operators. For this reason, such agents tend to be used sparingly alongside other disinfectants 1.

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BSI Award

BSI awards Distinguished Service Certificate to Chairman of the BSI Cleanrooms Committee, Gordon Farquharson

News

Ecolab Life Sciences announces appointments

CHTS and Biopharma Group join forces in Ireland to become BPS Crowthorne

Helapet launches new SteriSpor™ sterile spray for high performance sporicidal disinfection

Clean Room Construction set to celebrate special milestone

Cleanroom Guangzhou 2017 sincerely expecting your arrival!

Pharminox Isolation wins major new consultancy contract in Scandinavia

Events and Training Courses

Life-lines