Cleaning products are a vital part of ensuring that a clean environment is sterile and contaminant-free. But the type of clean space in question and the level of cleanliness that must be maintained will determine which products will accommodate your specific needs. This month’s spotlight offers a selection of solutions, wipes, and more, to keep your critical environment operating at peak cleanliness levels.
Compiled by Angela Godwin
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General-purpose wipers
Nova-Tech 1000 cleanroom wipes from Blue Thunder Technologies are general-purpose, nonwoven wipers that are absorbent, strong, and ideal for general wiping purposes. They are composed of a unique blend of absorbent cellulose and polyester to create low particle emissions levels as well as minimal nonvolatile residue and ions. These wipers are ideal for Class 100 to 10,000 [ISO 5 to 7] cleanrooms and are double-bagged with lot-to-lot traceability.
Blue Thunder Technologies
East Windsor, CT
www.bluethundertechnologies.com
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Cleaning system
Contec’s EasyReach Cleaning System allows users to effectively clean hard-to-reach vertical and horizontal surfaces. It extends reach, to clean over and under heavy equipment, hard surface floors and walls. The cleaning system utilizes a variety of dry and presaturated wipes that attach to a lightweight 4-inch x 10-inch (10.2 cm x 25.4 cm) mop head. It is compatible with many Contec substrates for wet or dry cleaning applications. Anodized aluminum extension handles are available in two lengths, 4 feet (1.25 meters) and 8 feet (2.5 meters).
Contec, Inc.
Spartanburg, SC
www.contecinc.com
Critical surface wipers
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KIMTECH PURE* CL3 Wipers with patent-pending Clean-Dry Technology from Kimberly-Clark Professional can be used for the most critical surface-wiping tasks in ISO Class 3 or higher cleanroom environments. The wipers are 100 percent continuous filament double-knit polyester. They absorb liquids on contact while still delivering the low particle and extractable levels expected from polyester wipers. KIMTECH PURE* CL3 Wipers are solvent- and abrasion-resistant, have four laser-sealed edges to minimize particle generation, are cleanroom laundered in water filtered to 0.2 micron to minimize the potential for ion contamination, and are double-bagged to maintain cleanliness. The wipers are also compliant with AAMI guidelines and gamma irradiated to a 10-6 Sterility Assurance Level (SAL).
Kimberly-Clark Professional
Roswell, GA
www.kcprofessional.com
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Aqueous waterless cleaning
PDQ Precision, Inc. manufactures and distributes the Mini-Max Cleaning and Waste Management Systems, which are particularly useful where pinpoint or precision cleaning is desired. This FDA-registered Class II device for cleaning medical equipment (E197753) has a variable steam vapor output (from 195 psi to 295 psi and from 500°F up to 1300°F) depending on user needs and applications. Laboratory tests have shown that sanitation and sterilization can be achieved with these systems as well (cleaning bacteria and removing spores from surfaces, as shown by NAMSA Labs results 06/04).
PDQ Precision, Inc.
San Diego, CA
www.minimaxcleaner.com
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Gamma irradiated disinfectant
Sporicidin offers its Disinfectant Solution and Gamma Irradiated Disinfectant Solution, both of which are FDA- and EPA-registered to provide 100 percent kill of all pathogenic vegetative organisms. The solutions are tuberculocidal, bactericidal, fungicidal and virucidal (lipophilic and hydrophilic), including oral, ocular and genital herpes and HIV-1 (AIDS virus). They are registered for use on hospital instruments and equipment and comply with the OSHA Bloodborne Pathogens Standard. The Gamma Irradiated Sporicidin gallon is double-bagged and ISO-11137-validated for sterility assurance for use in pharmaceutical cleanrooms and other critical environments. Sporicidin products are alcohol-free and are safe for surfaces, including stainless steel, glass, Formica, paint, chrome, vinyl and wood. No rotation is necessary.
Sporicidin International
Rockville, MD
www.sporicidin.com