A cleanroom is a specialized controlled environment that is designed and maintained to minimize and control the presence of airborne particles, pollutants, and contaminants. It is an enclosed space with a high degree of cleanliness, where strict procedures and regulations are followed to ensure the quality, safety, and integrity of the processes or products being manufactured or handled within it.
Cleanrooms are typically used in industries that require an extremely clean and sterile environment, such as pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, electronics, aerospace, and medical device manufacturing. The air in a cleanroom is carefully filtered to remove particles and pollutants, and the temperature, humidity, and pressure are also closely controlled to create the desired conditions.
The cleanliness level of a cleanroom is determined by the number of particles present in a specific volume of air. This measurement is referred to as the cleanroom class, with lower numbers indicating a higher level of cleanliness. For example, a class 100 cleanroom would allow no more than 100 particles, 0.5 micrometers or larger, per cubic foot of air.
Cleanrooms are equipped with specialized equipment, such as high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters, air showers, and gowning rooms to further minimize contamination. Strict protocols for entry and personnel behavior, including the wearing of cleanroom suits, gloves, and masks, are also enforced to maintain the cleanliness standards.
Overall, cleanrooms are essential environments for industries that require strict control over cleanliness, as they help to prevent product contamination, ensure process reliability, and safeguard against potential health risks.
