Cleanroom Consumable Cleanliness

How do I determine if the cleanroom consumable product purchased will meet the cleanliness requirements of our cleanroom operations?

My primary references for testing and evaluation of cleanroom consumable products has been the IEST (Institute of Environmental Science and Technology) recommended practices. Specific test methods for the evaluation of wipers are found in IEST-RP-CC004.3, “Evaluating Wiping Materials Used in Cleanrooms and Other Controlled Environments.”

Specific test methods for the evaluation of gloves and finger cots are found in IEST-RP-CC005.3, “Gloves and Finger Cots Used in Cleanrooms and Other Controlled Environments.” There is also a draft document regarding the testing of swabs in the working group. These documents recommend test methods but not rigid specifications. Each of the companies within the contamination control industry may establish their own specifications based on the requirements of the products and processes within their own cleanrooms and the classification of those cleanrooms.

All these industries specify both consistency and traceability of the laboratory testing. Therefore, the IEST recommended practices are designed to promote the quality and validity of all laboratory measurements using current standard practices and procedures without promoting specific instrumentation and/or equipment. The results of the laboratory tests, when performed correctly and consistently, provide a quantitative assessment of the cleanroom consumable products.

New instruments are constantly being developed that are easier to operate, maintain, and provide more comparable test results between testing facilities when used in conjunction with recommended laboratory practices.